If you can’t get past the first page of your story, try songwriting. Seriously, write short, not long. Even if it’s only on a lark, it’s great practice for prose writers to work in poetry and song. If you’re interested, check out the Singer/Songwriters Telesummit.
Tag: writing conference
BREAKING INTO THE BUSINESS
Literary agent Don Maass–author of WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL–has gained a reputation in his field as a writers’ advocate. I heard him speak at the Surrey Writers’ Conference this past weekend. He delivered a realistic and energizing message. Yes, it is a tough business. And, yes, you can find an agent and a publisher–if you write a great book, and if you are professional, make smart choices, and do your homework. Sound daunting? Take a deep breath and shake off the “daunts”. Why? Because you will write a terrific book and you will do your homework. Begin by visiting Don’s …
SURREY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’ CONFERENCE 2008
I’ve just spent an energized and informative weekend presenting at the 2008 Surrey International Writers’ Conference, located in Surrey, just outside Vancouver B.C. This year’s author presenters included Donald Maass (also a well-known literary agent), Hallie Ephron, Diana Gabaldon, Anne Perry, Phillip Margolin, and Jack Whyte. Agents, editors, and publishers attended from the U.S. as well as Canada. At least one author signed a contract this weekend, and several attendees from past years were here to celebrate publication of their first book. Over the years I’ve attended quite a number of conferences. I’ve added Surrey to my list of favorites. …
SURREY INTERNATIONAL WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
From October 23 to October 27 I will be presenting at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference, just a few miles outside Vancouver B.C. I hope to post while I’m there, and I look forward to sharing the highlights on this blog. Wishing you free flow and abundant creative energy.
INTENTION & COMMITMENT–YOUR CONTRACT WITH YOURSELF
This post is taken from material I use in my workshop: The 90-Minute Novel. Over the next weeks, as I prepare to teach at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in B.C., I will continue to post exercises from the workshop. Many of them are applicable to writers of memoir as well as fiction. The Contract: When you sell your book to a publisher, you will be asked to sign a company contract. Now, wherever you are in the process of your new writing project, I am asking you to sign a contract with yourself. This contract means you will:A) Aim …
The Writers Telesummit 2008
Creativity coach and author Eric Maisel and two colleagues have teamed up to present the Writers TeleSummit 2008, Thursday, September 4th through Sunday, September 7th, 2008. I’ve found Maisel’s books on creativity and self-coaching to be really helpful. I love the clarity of the steps he offers to demystify the creative process. When I read the list of 24 presenters, I was impressed. Among them: Eric Maisel will talk about “Writing and Selling the Nonfiction Book.” This should be inspiring. Agent and author Jeff Herman has written one of the best guides to writing book proposals. His talk “Finding the …