Back in 2018, I wrote a post over at Words Mean Stuff exploring how to help non-writers understand that writing is a real thing and an actual business. The need to help others understand what we do still exists. However, my understanding of how to do that (and my ability to write about it) hasContinue reading “Show ‘em!”
Tag Archives: success
The “1 ½ Pass” Rides Again
Well, I finished the first draft… My next non-fiction book (the one I pitched at the conference 3 weeks ago) is a completed manuscript. Now comes the rest period where I set it aside and shift from writer mode to editor mode. In the meantime, I’m doing some developmental editing on my other big projectContinue reading “The “1 ½ Pass” Rides Again”
Book Review: It was the best of sentences, it was the worst of sentences
I’ll admit it (actually I do regularly…), being a writer doesn’t mean I’m the best at spelling or punctuation. Even when we know our subject well, there are things we may forget or overlook. So, having information sources we can refer to helps. It was the best of sentences it was the worst of sentencesContinue reading “Book Review: It was the best of sentences, it was the worst of sentences“
Facing what you create (Honest self-editing)
I may have confused a few people at the conference this year. About half the sessions I went to were editing sessions and not “writer” sessions. Actually, I didn’t hit any “writer” sessions this year except the keynotes. Since I’m a writer, why would I skip the writing sessions? Because there’s more to writing thanContinue reading “Facing what you create (Honest self-editing)”
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!”
Forever Mountain Publishing 