Not For Us

The Dreaded Rejection: Not Right for Us
Do you get nice personal rejection letters that end, “. . . but this just isn’t for us.”? Jessica Page Morrell, a developmental editor, has written a book just for you and it’s a winner.

Thanks, But This Isn’t For Us: A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing [...]

In Memorium

Edith Elleen Legate Irvin 1926-2009
My mother passed away this week.
I’ll be back next week.

2 Types of Feedback

Feedback on Story or Best Way to Tell Story?
I’ve always considered the first draft of a novel as a time to get the story down on paper. The second draft is a time to consider the best way to tell that story.
So, when I’m looking at feedback from a reader, a critique of a draft, [...]

5 Reactions to Novel Feedback

Yep. You gotta get feedback on your novel and you gotta act on it. On everything? Yep. But what if. . .
Yes! Oh! No? Uh-oh! Huh?
Okay. Here are five reactions I’ve had to recent feedback: Yes! Oh! No? Uh-oh! Huh?

Yes! It’s great when

Winter Writing with Kids

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
For the last few years, I’ve posted writing tips from Winter Holiday personalities. For example, Frosty the Snowman has 6 Top Writing Tips. This year, as our Christmas gift to you, we’ve collected these into one downloadable pdf. It’s a bit early, but teachers will be planning December and January lessons soon, and we [...]

Waiting for Critiques

I’m waiting for critiques from four readers on the second draft of my novel. I know what I think needs work, and it will be interesting to see if the readers agree.
Meanwhile:

The Best Way to Tell a Story

Finding the Best Way to Tell a Story
First drafts are for finding out what story you are telling. Second and subsequent drafts are for finding the best way to tell that story.
I finished a second draft yesterday and someone asked what I concentrated on in that draft. Basically, refining the story and exploring options for [...]

Smell the Flowers

I finished the second draft of my novel today. After such an enormous task, my only advise is to stop and enjoy the beauty of the world around you. Smell a flower, watch a butterfly.

Revising in the Home Stretch

Revising in the Home Stretch
I know what method of working has made the first 2/3 of my mss better. I’m just getting tired.
Don’t get Lazy Now! I’m on the last third. I know that I must rewrite a major scene for a subplot/secondary character climax. But much of these later chapter are in good [...]

Tyranny of the Urgent

Making Time to Write
There is a classic pamphlet in Christian literature called, “The Tyranny of the Urgent.” It discusses how urgent, deadline-driven tasks divert Christians from their devotion to God.
On a smaller scale, I see the same thing happening in my writing. Deadlines rob me of my writing time.