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 […]
Read articleWrite Right: Help for Writers: Every Book Is Its Own Puzzle: Pre-Writing Strateg…
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…”
Read articleEvery Book Is Its Own Puzzle: Pre-Writing Strategies
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 […]
Read articleWrite Right: Help for Writers: Want To Publish? It’s Not Who You Know But How Yo…
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…”
Read articleWrite Right: Help for Writers: Beginning Your Novel
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…”
Read articleWrite Right: Help for Writers: First Novels
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…”
Read articleFirst Novels
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 […]
Read articleBeginning Your Novel
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. […]
Read articleWant To Publish?
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: […]
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