November 19, 2012

How To Keep Your Ass Anchored To The Seat And Get The Juices Flowin'


 I'm always pretending that I'm sitting across from somebody.  I'm telling them a story, and I don't want them to get up until it's finished.
James Patterson

November 18, 2012

How To Be A More Prolific Writer - An Example

Don't remember when I fell on this article, but I'm glad I saved it to share it with you!  I liked it because I've found that this method of writing (or process, rather), which I discovered on my own via trial and error (and boy were there errors!), is actually working quite well for me (obviously this is a very subjective opinion).

The gist of it is summarized in this very apt graph (a picture's worth a thousand words, eh, eh?  OK.  I'm leaving now...)

November 17, 2012

To Remember When Editing...

Every sentence must do one of two things -- reveal character or advance the action.
Kurt Vonnegut


November 15, 2012

Lonely Little Writer

Was reading this blog post today on Writer's Digest about what bestsellers do differently to separate themselves from the chaff, and this quote struck me as quite a propos regarding what I've been experiencing working on my current book (apart from writing myself to the ground):

"Creating art is hard, often lonely work.  Most people don't have the stomach for it.  They think they do, but they don't.  There are probably more half-written novels, uncompleted paintings, and abandoned businesses in the world than there are completed and successful ones.  The pros live with the fact that this whole deal called art is brutal and, if they want to be an artist, they have to grow some callouses.  They have an ability to keep their head down and trudge forward when everyone else has given up and gone home."

Aaaah, the life of a writer (or any artist, for that matter).

But to finish on a not so sad note, here's a great song by one of my all time favorites!

 PS:  Fact 3 is totally relevant in my case--so I'm now off to beat the Resistance and go work on chapter 24...

November 14, 2012

Dr. Seuss Wisdom

Today, it's not one quote I'm providing you with, but 30.  However, I find them all good.  Thanks to imgur, once again, for providing this gem that I can now share with you!