Tag: writing
-
Hey Writers: How Varied Are Your Interests?
Some people have commented that I’m a little out of the ordinary. As a writer, I think that is to my advantage. Writers are a strange breed – I’m starting to think. I’ve had some people call me a renaissance man. I take that as a high compliment whether it’s true or not. But I’m…
-
97,000 Words. Where did my succinctness go?
When I first got in this long-story-writing business, I had to look up the definition of novel to see how many words it took to create a novel. Well, the general consensus I found was 50,000, so as I was writing my first novel, I obsessed over that number thinking how it would be impossible…
-
Why couldn’t I think of that?
I have always been a huge Rich Mullins fan. Of course he died in a car crash in 1997, and it’s hard for me to comprehend how 19 years have past since his passing. I guess it was St. Patrick’s Day that got me thinking of him again. It’s not hard when one of my…
-
Re-Writing a “Finished Book” is Actually Quite Fun
A few days ago, I posted how after receiving feedback from some beta readers, I decided to do a complete overall of my newest novel. I was dreading this, actually, thinking that it would be a complete drag to watch chapters be gutted, characters be re-written, and storylines be overhauled. But I was wrong. I’m…
-
Forget All Those Author Duties. I Just Want to Create
I am still in need of a publicist, secretary, and experienced book promoter who wants nothing in return from life except to see my books succeed. I’ve actually gotten very few job applications to fill this vacancy. The only one I received was from a less-than-enthusiastic candidate who is more interested in turning a clever…
-
Break Writing
I have three weeks of Christmas break on a tropical island. You might think it’s a paradise for writers. Well, not to rub it in, but it is. My breaks away from teaching have fueled my writing habits for years, and this one is no exception. As I type, I’m sitting shirtless on a lounge…
-
Praise is a Dangerous Thing for Authors
I received a hand-written note from someone today. In it, it said this: “You are a very gifted writer.” I don’t want to hear this. Stop it right now! This is a blatant attempt to allow my ego to take over and make self-congratulatory remarks. I can hear myself already: “I am pretty awesome.” “It’s…
-
A Writer Succumbing to Himself
It never ceases to surprise. The quick recoil in my stomach – the flood of negative thoughts – the cliff of failure just waiting for me to tilt over into the abyss. I’m always taken back by the sudden lack of confidence in writing which inevitably rears its ugly head from time to time. This…
-
8 Ideas, 15 Minutes (The Sad Reality of No Time)
Our school is having some meetings coming up at the end of the month, and I’ve been asked to write up some skits, and find some actors who would perform short pieces for each one which illustrate different life lessons. I’m always happy to do so, and now I even have a creative writing group…
-
Writing: The Difference between being Finished and being Done
I don’t know how other people write. That makes sense. I’m not other people. But I do wonder sometimes the various methodologies (or lack thereof in my case) applied to craft. I was particularly thinking about first drafts recently, and I realize that I am a “run and gun” offense on my first draft. I…
Author Mark W Sasse 