by Susan Forest There are as many paths into creating fiction as there are writers, and widely differing approaches have led to successful works. Entire books have been written how to plan a story; here, I will focus on one small process: translating the circular Hero’s Journey into a linear plot. This translation involves (1) […]
by P.G. Galalis Here’s a ten-step guide to writing while parenting: 1. Make some coffee or tea. Head to your special writing place. Close the door and boot up your computer, put a fresh ribbon in the typewriter, or select the perfect pen and creamy paper for your current work in progress. Summon the muse. […]
by Dan Brotzel
I have a list of all the books I’ve ever read.
Well, not ever. But since 1993 at least.
It began with a red spiral-bound exercise book. At first, I didn’t just write the names and authors at first. I had pretensions of becoming a literary journalist and was ambitious enough at the time to think I would write a review of every book I wrote.
by Deborah Walker
Productivity gurus love routine and habit. They say you should have a regular bedtime and a regular time to wake up. I don’t do that. But I am an early riser and no stranger to 5 am. It should have been easy for me to test this productivity habit.
Welcome to the July edition of the SFWA Market Report.
Start a new series this summer with the latest Humble Book Bundle from Open Road Media. Get great books at a great price, and support SFWA.
by Deborah Walker
A few months ago, I began to hear great things about Robin Sharma’s bestselling, new book, “The 5 AM Club.” Sharma is a productivity guru whose work is ’embraced by rock stars, royalty, billionaires and many celebrity CEOs’. When I heard the glowing testimonies from more ordinary folk (albeit productivity types), I was quick to order a copy from my library.
by Dan Brotzel
The philosopher of language Paul Grice (1913-88) is best known for his four conversational maxims, which describe what’s going on when people hold a conversation. I want to look at these to see how they can help us in crafting fiction.
by Ellis Cube,
Right now, IP (intellectual property) is everything in Hollywood, and by “everything” I mean its validation—both their and your proof of concept. If your novel draws attention or builds up a sizeable audience, executives/investors will feel more comfortable spending their money on adapting what you’ve created, and they’ll come to you.
by Alex Woolf
“Why do we always have to reinvent the wheel?” my editor once asked me.
When a new book is launched, it’s like introducing a stranger to a largely disinterested world. Potential readers know nothing about its characters or the kind of plot they might expect. Publishers are forced to spend a great deal of money on marketing to give the book a comforting, pseudo-familiar feel. The title and cover design will be reminiscent of other, similar books that readers might already have enjoyed.
SAINT JOAN OF NEW YORK is the latest book from Mark Alpert, published by Springer’s Science and Fiction series. It’s about a modern Joan of Arc, a teenage genius who believes she’s been chosen by God to reveal the mathematical design of the universe.
Jim has won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards and his work has been translated into eighteen languages. He writes a column for Asimov’s and is on the faculty of the Stonecoast Creative Writing MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine.
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