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Goodbye my friend: Tony Verna – author, director, inventor
My friend is gone. I didn't see it coming; he was only 81 years-old. Author, director, and inventor Tony Verna died late last week, after battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (according to ABC News). Although I spoke with him earlier this month, he never said a word. Well, other than a modest, "feeling under the weather" in an email he sent me January 13. I'm shocked and deeply saddened by Tony's death. Hell, I thought he'd outlive me. He never seemed "old," you know? He always sounded the same on the phone: a gravelly baritone … [Read More...]
Consider these three ways to Kill Your Readers
This is a guest post by author/editor Katharine Trauger You probably would prefer NOT to kill your readers. But you might be a reader murderer without realizing it. Here's your personal “cheat sheet” for avoiding three hidden ways you might be killing your readers. Living readers love a well-written essay. You know those elegant pieces of prose that make you want to listen to the author read it aloud? I’m sure you love them too, especially when you’re the one producing that triumphant work of art we too seldom see in print. I am … [Read More...]
“Best Excerpt, All Genres” — We have our Medal Winners!
SoWrite's most successful writing contest to date has reached the finish line. It's time to announce our judges' prize-level choices for our "Best Excerpt, All Genres" finalists. Let me say right up front that this last judging round did not end up the way I had imagined it would. For instance, contestants who provided final-round critiques clearly felt that Melinda Clayton's entry, "For weeks I sat..." deserved the top prize. The judges, however, had this entry just out of the medals, as Honorable Runner-up. Was this some sort of … [Read More...]
On writing, deadlines, and the flu
What's the best medicine for the flu? You might think it's Tamiflu® or Theraflu® or maybe honey and whiskey (tea?). My wife's doctor recommended cough medicine plus Tylenol®. (What's with all the T-medicines, anyway?) Each of those products may be fine for treating the symptoms. What about a cure for the flu? Turns out, the vaccine only works in advance; so that's not much help once your have the flue. From what I've seen this year, the best medicine for the flu is ... laughter. That's right -- laughter. Let's face it, suffering … [Read More...]
Reviews: Of books and authors
Interview with Charlotte Howard, author of “Seven Dirty Words”
The New Year brought us a new author with her first book release from Rocking Horse Publishing. Yesterday, I spent an hour or so chatting with Charlotte Howard about her steamy novel, Seven Dirty Words. We had hoped to get together on Skype for this interview, but that didn't quite work out. Read on... "All I can say is the sex is graphic and so is the language, but I hope it's not vulgar." »Q Let's begin with a little about you. You're living in Martock, England, correct? Yes, down in … [Read More...]
Tips on writing and blogging and stuff
Blake Shelton, a Master Storyteller? Oh, hail yeah! (video)
Okay, you've got 4 minutes and 24 seconds to tell a great story. Ready? Go! Blake Shelton did it in spectacular fashion in this … [Read More...]
If you’ve ever written a story…
If you've ever written a story, Go see Saving Mr. Banks. If you've ever written a story about love, or about love and loss, or … [Read More...]
Writing and Weaving: How’s your warp and weft?
...the art of weaving has some strong parallels to the craft of writing Do you feel like your writing has become unexciting … [Read More...]
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