By Barbara Stahura Memory is a tricky thing even in the best of times. But in times of great stress and chaos, you might as well kiss it goodbye, for all the good it will do you in accurately recalling events. When your world explodes, memory, too, falls into fragments around your feet — disjointed pieces … Read more
Review by Lynne Mahan Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande First printing: Harcourt, Brace & Company, New York, 1934 J.P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles, 1981 175 pages Some of the amazing things about Dorothea Brande’s Becoming a Writer, a writing how-to book (in addition to the fact that it was written in 1934), are the techniques … Read more
By Mridu Khullar Editors can be mean, unethical and downright unprofessional. But not all editors fit that bill. In fact, most editors would rather give you money than take it, would rather make no changes than rewrite whole pieces two hours before deadline, and would rather accept a piece than start their mornings sending out … Read more
By Chris Stewart Open any book on “how to write,” and somewhere you will find a discussion of how many words you should write every day. Forget the struggle to get ourselves to the paper or the computer every day, now we have to produce a certain number of words? Me? I don’t write every … Read more
By Julia Rosien Women in conflict with the law have taught me more about my own journals than any book or motivational speaker ever will. I teach journal writing at a federal prison for women. They write to heal. And their writing reflects a path filled with heartache, shame, courage, and for some, hope. We … Read more
By Jodi Brandon Hurrah — your book proposal or your magazine query has been accepted, and a contract is on its way. “Great,” you say enthusiastically to your agent or editor, even though you’re thinking, I don’t know how the heck to read a contract! Don’t panic. Perhaps the most common misconception among writers—especially new writers—is … Read more
By Karyn Langhorne It’s that time of year again: the time of reassessment and reevaluation, renewal and revision. In short, it’s time to resolve. Since we’re all writers here, it seems appropriate to use this space to make some writing resolutions for 2005, resolutions that are true for me—and might also resonate for you as … Read more
By Julie Rogers and June Ford My editor and I frequently talk to writers—many who are or have been members of writer’s groups. More and more we find ourselves pulling out these tips because we believe healthy writing etiquette among peers in writer’s groups encourages good writing habits. When a writer begins working professionally with … Read more
By Selina McLemore “Karyn?” I bet she thinks I sound young. Really young. “I’m Selina and I’m going to be your editor on this project.” I love calling debut authors. I feel like I can really relate to the rush of excitement a new author feels. She’s worked so hard on her manuscript, rewritten it … Read more
By Karyn Langhorne “Karyn?” She sounded young. Really young. I took a deep breath, and answered, hoping I didn’t sound old. Really old. “I’m Selina . . . and I’m going to be your editor on this project. First let me tell how much I loved your book.’ She might be young, but she was … Read more
