To Be (Published) or Not To Be.

That is the question; in fact, for writers, the only question. We people who hide in closets (garrets), who get arrested for stalking characters in the coffee shop, and who think writing and rewriting pages and pages at a time is actually fun, we writers long to be published.

To hold that book in hand–or on iPad–is akin to reaching the finish line first for a marathon runner, a Derby racer, or a Grand Prix driver.

But along the way there are pitfalls. And you may think you are the only one to have these problems. In the video below, Shakespeare (Hugh Laurie) is discussing what might be cut from Hamlet–ye gods!–with his editor, Rowan Atkinson.

Take a moment and enjoy.

Consider leaving a comment about bright bits you’ve had to snip out. Or malign the editor who suggested this. Just kidding.

Download your free copy of 10 Ways to Improve Your Writing from the link in the side column

 

What Are the Three Rules for Writing a Novel?

Download your free copy of 10 Ways to Improve Your Writing from the link in the side column.

Do you just wish someone would tell you the rules, the secrets, the holy grail ways so that you could write your best novel?
Are you convinced someone, somewhere knows these rules and you just have to find them?
You are not alone. Writers and wannabe writers all over the world have been feeling the same way for years and years, probably since novels made their debut on the writing stage.
Someone very near and dear to me has created

 

7 Writers Get To Strut Their Stuff

photo by Elaine Cougler

The Seven-Line Challenge!

Sharon Clare, who published 2 books in 2012, tagged me in the 7 line challenge a while ago and I am just getting back to doing this interesting challenge.  Here are my lines from page 7 of The Loyalist’s Wife, my historical novel, as John and Lucy spend their first night together in their cabin:

“And I can hardly wait to start work in the morning to make it as beautiful as I can. I know just where to hang that engraving of the two—”

His lips found hers, a lovely softness tingling between them, and he gathered her to him. She slid her arms around his taut body, fingers kneading his skin, and kissed back with an intensity born of sudden desire. Her petticoat bunched up as he slid his hands around her smooth thigh to her bottom and he inched the garment higher.

“Wait,” Lucy whispered. In a trice she had it off and tossed on the floor. “Will that do?”

I’m tagging 7 other writers, whose works are varied both in product and stage, to keep the challenge going: Patricia Pierce-garcia Schaack, Kristina Stanley, Mary Ann Blinkhorn, Rita Kuehn at Writania, Diane Stephenson, Janna Noelle, and Julia Robb.

This is your mission: Go to line 7 on either page 7 or page 77 of your manuscript and do a post with the next 7 lines, then tag 7 people to keep the challenge going!  This is a short and savvy way to see what others out there in the blogoshere are writing.