“…Couldn’t Connect to Your Main Character”
A discussion of a generic rejection phrase that marginalized fiction writers often receive and what it may mean.
Yes, age discrimination is a thing.
Advising a 60-Year-Old Who Wants to Write
Advice for older people looking to write fiction as a second career and to publish their work through traditional publishers.
The Uses and Misuses of Mentor Texts
The importance of reading, even if it means a writer is thrown off-course though admiration for books read.
Translation Workshop
Since becoming co-chair of the PEN Translation Committee, I've been working on some new initiatives that draw from my experience as a writer of my own fiction and a translator…
Rock Star Writers
Once upon a time, writers were people who sat alone in garrets creating their masterpieces. If the world agreed, the lucky writer could move to one of the lower floors…
A New Agent!
Readers who are familiar with the publishing industry already know this, but many of my blog's readers are not familiar with the process of making books (making sausage is clean…
Going the Small Press Route: An Interview with Jamie Beth Cohen
Interview with debut small press author Jamie Beth Cohen on music, historical fiction, body image, and #metoo.
Conflicting Advice and Fear
How does a writer deal with conflicting advice about the process or content of a work-in-progress? Mine had to do with fear.
What I Learned from the Pneuma Creative Workshop
What I learned about myself, the writing process, and my two current projects at the Pneuma Creative retreat last week at the beautiful Highlights campus.
“Burn It All Down”
The scene in my novel where I burn it all down and show boys doing the right thing.