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November/December 2013 Issue
November/December Issue
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There Are No Rules
There Are No Rules Blog by the Editors of Writer’s Digest
Get on the cutting edge of today’s publishing trends and how authors can succeed in a world of fast-paced technological change, guided by the editors of Writer’s Digest. You’ll get an inside look at the work, play, and passion of the publishing business and find practical tools for success.
Ultimate Blog Series on Novel Queries (#5)
This is my definitive No Rules series on novel queries. It’s meant particularly for writers who are new to the query process. (A series on nonfiction book queries will come later.) Go … Read more
Agent Michael Larsen On: 4 Reasons You May Want to Transform That Memoir Into a Novel
If you’re writing a memoir (a me-moir to the cynical), you may wonder whether it would be better to fictionalize elements and release your story as a novel. What reasons might there be for making that decision?
1. Legal Reasons
Publishers are extremely wary about anything that might cause litigation. If you’re going to include unflattering things about living people, they may sue.
2. Personal Reasons
Fictionalizing your past may make it easier to write about. A memoir is constrained by the truth. Writing fiction liberates you to alter your experience as you wish. Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 11/12/10)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
Ultimate Blog Series on Novel Queries (#4)
This is my definitive No Rules series on novel queries. It’s meant particularly for writers who are new to the query process. (A series on nonfiction book queries will come later.) Go … Read more
Ultimate Blog Series on Novel Queries (#3)
This is my definitive No Rules series on novel queries. It’s meant particularly for writers who are new to the query process. (A series on nonfiction book queries will come later.) Go … Read more
Ultimate Blog Series on Novel Queries (#2)
This is my definitive No Rules series on novel queries. It’s meant particularly for writers who are new to the query process. (A series on nonfiction book queries will come later.) Go … Read more
Ultimate Blog Series on Novel Queries (#1)
This is my definitive No Rules series on novel queries. It’s meant particularly for writers who are new to the query process. (A series on nonfiction book queries will come later.) THE … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 11/5/10)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
You Must Learn to Ask Interesting Questions
For my writing class this quarter at CCM, I’m using Question of the Day to help students be curious, develop not-horrible-personalities, and, most importantly, seek out stories. One of the most critical … Read more
Agent Dan Lazar On: Query Dos and Don’ts
1. Be specific, but don’t vomit information. Saying “my novel is about a mom going through some life challenges” is vague, and remember: Vague = boring. However, be careful not to stuff your letter with so many details of your plot that it’s confusing to decipher what’s going on. Reading your pitch letter out loud can often help you identify these flaws.
2. Avoid the “duh” trap.Don’t bog down your writing by overstating the obvious. For example, “I’m writing this letter to tell you about my fictional novel, which I’d like to send you, and it is called TITLE.” That’s an awkward sentence. Read more
You Don't Get to Choose Whether You're a Writer
In this month’s Glimmer Train bulletin, there’s a lovely piece by Kathryne Young called “On Writing, Not Writing, and the Writing Life.” Here’s a brief snippet: Joan Didion writes, “The impulse to … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 10/29/10)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
Hands-On Advice + Interaction With Harlequin Editors (Free!)
I don’t often report on events like this, but this one is so benefit- and content-driven for writers that every kind of romance novelist could learn something valuable or boost their career … Read more
The Best Query Writing Advice
Next week, I’ll be critiquing 1-page query letters as part of a live, online class. You can sign up here. I only do this a couple times a year, so if you … Read more
Make Sure You Don't Have a Horrible Personality
I’m a huge fan of the Ira Glass talks on storytelling. You can find the first one here; you could also follow me on YouTube and find them all stockpiled in my … Read more
What Can Set You Apart: Your Ability to Focus
In an excellent interview by Dan Blank, Christina Katz talks about practices and skills of successful writers. Here’s a brief (edited) transcription of the opening message of the conversation. There’s a lot … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 10/22/10)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
Online Marketing Works If You Have the Long View
These days, it seems like everyone has become a big skeptic of social networking’s effectiveness—or even believes that cultivating a site or blog can harm or stall a writer’s career. In the … Read more
5 Things Every Writer Should Know About Rights
Most writers I know fall into 1 of 2 camps: people who are (overly) concerned that someone will steal their work, and innocents who don’t take time to learn what rights they … Read more
Kindle Singles: A Big Opportunity for Smart Writers
Just last week, Amazon announced the launch of Kindle Singles, a new imprint specializing in short nonfiction works of 10,000–30,000 words—which, if you didn’t know, isn’t considered a marketable length for any … Read more
Make Your NaNoWriMo Experience Count (4 Excellent Posts)
I’ll be upfront. I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo (and have no desire to), but I’ve observed many writers go through the process. I know it can help writers put aside perfectionism, procrastination, … Read more
Best Tweets for Writers (week ending 10/15/10)
I watch Twitter, so you don’t have to. Visit each Sunday for the week’s best Tweets. If I missed a great Tweet, leave it in the Comments. Want to know about the … Read more
Meet Me at the 2011 Writer's Digest Conference
Mark your calendars! In January, I’ll be speaking at the Writer’s Digest Conference, joining a stellar line-up of publishing professionals and successful authors. The conference has many different features/facets, including: The now … Read more
3 Critical Steps After Rejection
Just released from Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Digest University is part market guide, part boot camp, offering keys to getting your work published. I am honored to have written the introduction to this … Read more
Fake It 'Til You Make It
Interviews with successful authors never get old. The Paris Review interviews (the celebrated interview series with writers) have remained popular since they launched in the 1950s. (Go read them all for free … Read more
