Farangian

Fast Pitch!

Well dear reader, I’m back from LDSPMA 2022. There’s a lot to talk about. Today we’ll talk about one of the most valuable activities at a writer’s conference, doing Fast Pitch. What is it? What’s fast pitch? In the writers’ conference context, Fast Pitch is kind of like speed dating. You sign up for aContinue reading “Fast Pitch!”

A one percent return (Part 3)

In the previous parts of this discussion, we’ve collected a pile of research and refined it. Now, we’re going to use that pile to build our writing. There are many writing and citing styles out there, and a plethora of subjects and subject matter to work with. There are many reasons for writing and manyContinue reading “A one percent return (Part 3)”

A one percent return? (part 2)

Last time we talked about the first step rough processing part of doing text-based research. This week we’ll talk about the next step of the process. We’ll process the metaphorical ore into the verbal/textual metal that we’ll incorporate in our writing (the part we’re talking about next week…). I don’t want to scare anyone, butContinue reading “A one percent return? (part 2)”

Sometimes good things come in “Oh crap, what did I get myself into?” packages…

Next month I’m going to a writing conference (I might have mentioned that). I decided that I’m pitching a non-fiction book at the conference. Initially, I decided to finish a chapter before pitching, with the rest to come. Well, that’s been pushed to three chapters (and of course the pitch!). I really need these threeContinue reading “Sometimes good things come in “Oh crap, what did I get myself into?” packages…”

A one percent return? (part 1)

I’m working on a book chapter this week, with a word target of 10,000 words. That works out to be about 20 normal pages or 40 manuscript pages (give or take because… you know… formatting…). Not the biggest thing I’ve written, but not the smallest either. In preparing to write the chapter, I’ve worked myContinue reading “A one percent return? (part 1)”

There’s still time… But not much!

If you’re reading this when the post went live, we’re about two weeks into the virtual conference/pre-conference for the 2022 LDSPMA conference. There’ve been some interesting sessions. I’ve learned a thing or two and took part in discussions on manuscript prep, book design, and how to handle “fast pitch” situations in selling the things weContinue reading “There’s still time… But not much!”

Pushing farther, reaching higher…

In the beginning, there was the goal. And the goal was to write 1,000 words per day. And the goal was good. But there came a time when the goal was too easy. NANOWRIMOs had been won. Blogs were under way. Stories and even books had been published. A goal of 1,000 words was easy.Continue reading “Pushing farther, reaching higher…”

Beta readers

I’ve got projects approaching completion. Or at least I think they’re nearing completion. Where they really are is ready for me to show them to someone. But does that mean I’m sending them off to a publisher? Nope, not if I’m smart. Does that mean I’m showing them to an editor? Some stuff, yes. SomeContinue reading “Beta readers”

Life as a new kid (writer edition…)

I looked at the post I just wrote for Words Mean Stuff and said, “you know, this kind of applies to breaking into writing too…” So, here’s a challenge dear reader. Look at this post. Read it. And think about how it applies to us in the writing world. I can think of at leastContinue reading “Life as a new kid (writer edition…)”

Perspective: in real life and in story

How we look at things is important. As storytellers (and there’s room for storytelling even in non-fiction…) the perspective we speak/write from impacts the story we tell. It affects the information available to the narrator, the reader’s ability to associate with the characters in our story, and the nuts and bolts of how we structureContinue reading “Perspective: in real life and in story”