David Morrell is the author of First Blood, the novel in which Rambo was created, and in his book The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons about Writing and Publishing, he lays down the rules of writing as he understands them. Overwhelmingly, it is a helpful array both for the new writer and the experienced ones. Though […]
writing advice
How to Get and Use Feedback
Feedback is a valuable tool for writers, but not all feedback is created equal. There is helpful feedback, unhelpful feedback, and feedback which would be helpful if you only knew what to do with it. Many people assume the best feedback comes from paid professionals, and that if only they could afford to pay an […]
The Self-Taught Writer
If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to college for a degree in English or Literature and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, instead of the science-laden degree of nursing. The majority of my writing education to date has been largely self-taught. And yet, there is still […]
Why We Write — Book Review
Why We Write is a collection of essays from 20 authors*, edited by Meredith Maran. The essays are written by authors who “have written books that sell in the kinds of numbers that make publishers send them flowers and leather-bound first editions, and most important, new book contracts.” Maran calls them the successful ones, the ones […]
Finish Every Story You Start
Anyone who knows my writing habits will know that this title is more than a little tongue in cheek. Not only do I not finish every story I start, but I am pretty much legendary among my writing friends for unfinished projects. If I bring the same piece of work to my writing group three […]
