In the Write

Yes, Vincent van Gogh, the painter (1853-1890), famous for his technique with vivid color and landscapes.  But technique is technique, be it painting or writing, and in a recent article in the Smithsonian magazine (Jan 09), Paul Trachtman writes: “. . . van Gogh’s discipline was as firm as his genius was unruly, and he […]

Write Right: Help for Writers: Every Book Is Its Own Puzzle: Pre-Writing Strateg…: ” Writing teachers talk to their students a good deal (sometimes too much) about ‘pre-writing.’ That is, thinking thr…”

Writing teachers talk to their students a good deal (sometimes too much) about “pre-writing.”  That is, thinking through a topic, finding a rhetorical approach (compare/contrast, analogy, etc.), and only then beginning the rough draft of the essay or research paper.  Well, the same holds true in approaching a book-length project:  strategizing, puzzling over, thinking through […]

Write Right: Help for Writers: Want To Publish? It’s Not Who You Know But How Yo…: “I recently spoke at writers’ conference, along with Sarah Shumway, a bright young editor at Dutton’s children’s books, and Andrea Weiss, N…”

Write Right: Help for Writers: Beginning Your Novel: ” I’m not referring here to first lines or paragraphs, or ‘hooks’ or anything like that. Rather, I mean the artistic…”

Write Right: Help for Writers: First Novels: ” With multiple bids from New York publishers, my first novel sold for $150,000. I say that mainly to get your atten…”

With multiple bids from New York publishers, my first novel sold for $150,000.   I say that mainly to get your attention; now let’s back up and talk about first novels generally. The short story is a great place to learn your fictional chops, but not every plot will fit into the “teacup” (Hortense Calisher called […]

 I’m not referring here to first lines or paragraphs, or “hooks” or anything like that.  Rather, I mean the artistic “moment” when you choose to begin typing the first  sentence.  A key error, one that I’ve made, is beginning to write too early.  Pouring the wine before its time, so to speak…. Let’s back up.  […]

        I recently spoke at writers’ conference, along with Sarah  Shumway, a bright young editor at Dutton’s children’s books, and Andrea Weiss, New York editor now working out of California.  The three of us presented to about 50 earnest, hard-working writers of all ages, and all looking to take the next step: […]