Posted in Creative Writing Tips, Fiction on Mar 21st, 2012
A bit of controversy exists about whether or not it’s beneficial for writers to enter their work in writing contests. Some feel that contests are a waste of time and money, contending that publishers aren’t impressed by a writer winning a contest. And they’re not very happy that most contests require an entry fee of [...]
Posted in Fiction on Dec 13th, 2011
Lesley Peebles is my close friend who’s been part of my reading, and just as importantly, my writing life for 25 years. Because she’s so prolific and thoughtful a reader and has given me feedback on so much of my writing, I wanted to present her ideas about writing and reading here. – Lynette How [...]
Posted in Fiction on Dec 13th, 2011
My interview with my long-time friend and voracious reader, Lesley Peebles. continues below. – Lynette What are your favorite books from various eras in your life? The Narnia books still inform my spiritual life. When I was 11, I must have read The Descent of Woman—in which the author proposed that homo erectus spent a [...]
Posted in Fiction on Dec 5th, 2011
Recently the extraordinary teens in my creating writing class read from their work in a public forum. It’s true the audience was mostly made up of the teens’ relatives, but even that’s meaningful. Some of my students had never allowed their parents to see their work before. And trust me, their writing is worth sharing. [...]
Posted in Creative Writing Tips, Fiction on Sep 10th, 2011
Are there books you turn to again and again to inspire your muse or strengthen your writing? This post (and a few to follow) is about those books I most often recommend to my creative writing students. Why? Because each of these books covers a lot of ground in an easy, accessible way. You won’t [...]
Posted in Creative Writing Tips, Fiction on May 17th, 2011
Author Leigh Russell writes the bestselling series of crime thrillers featuring detective Geraldine Steel. Her novels are CUT SHORT (2009); ROAD CLOSED (2010); and DEAD END (2011). Leigh generously shares tips for aspiring writers in her guest post below. – Lynette Guest Post by Leigh Russell We hear so much these days about how difficult it is [...]
Posted in Creative Writing Tips, Fiction, Hating Your Book on Apr 13th, 2011
The variety of reasons writers hate their books is surprising. Author Judi Coltman regrets the genre she chose for her first book, wondering if it pigeonholed her. A writer’s book might feel almost repellent to its author. Recollecting the family mysteries and miscommunications I write about in My Mother’s Money sometimes leaves me drained and [...]
