This is why we’re all here.
By Magdalena Ball It couldn’t have happened at a worse moment. My car had just been hit by a truck and I was standing amidst the wreckage of glass and metal when my post lady pulled up. After ascertaining that I wasn’t hurt, she handed me a package: the obviously thick SASE that went along … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes workings at Absolute Write and the Absolute Write forums, Jan O’Hara over at Writer Unboxed has just posted a two-part interview with me about Absolute Write, the community, the mods, and writing. Jan does a heckuva fun interview, and I’m not just saying that because she interviewed me—she’s … Read more
Congratulations to AbsoluteWrite members Stacia Kane and K.A. Stewart on today’s release of their respective books! I’ve been waiting for the release of both of these books with great anticipation, for what seems like months. Stacia Kane‘s new book Unholy Magic is book 2 of the Downside Ghosts series. You can read an excerpt on … Read more
By Monique van den Berg “I am an artist. The critic is my nemesis.” Have you ever heard this internal dialogue? Well, you’re not alone. We writers exist within a paradox. Our egos tell us we’re brilliant, yet one word from a critic can convince us (at least temporarily) that we’re worthless. Criticism strikes at … Read more
Five rules for Writing Life Story by Jo Parfitt I have written 26 books, worked as a features journalist, written columns, a blog, memoir, fiction and non-fiction and I cannot think of many writing genres where there is no need to write life story. If you write a self-help book, for example, such as a … Read more
By Amy Brozio-Andrews Most writers have probably thought about joining a writers’ association at one time or another. Hesitant about what you’d actually get out of it in return for your hard-earned money, you’ve probably put it off more than once. Numerous organizations have been created to serve writers of every genre, and while most … Read more
By Elisabeth Keely Wilson Ostensibly, it was your basic itch just begging to be scratched. You know—the kind of itch that can’t quite be reached, so it keeps twitching and itching, demanding your attention. Finally, in order to appease the little beast, you have to twist and turn your body into various odd positions, until … Read more
By Christine Davey So you want to be a freelance sports writer! Great. After all, if you love sports, then it’s the perfect job. Just think—you’ll get to travel the world, bask in the sunshine, and sip cocktails by the water’s edge at the end of the game. You’ll experience the rich tapestry of exotic … Read more
By Melanie Bowden Many writers are so afraid of rejection that they jump at whatever fee an editor offers. Don’t do it! Writers are notorious for not getting paid what they deserve, especially when they are first starting out. We need to think more like my therapist who advises, “Honor the work you do.” His … Read more
By LJ Dovichi I’d always dreamed of becoming a professional writer but I was too busy working to take the time. Sure, I had free time, but I spent it doing things with my husband, not because I had to but because I wanted to. Then I gave birth to our son and the luxury … Read more
