Want to be a professional author? A successful professional author? To become more than what others are, we must be willing to do what others won’t. We must go where they fear to tread. We must burn our ships. When Alexander the Great arrived on the shores of Persia, his forces were hopelessly outnumbered, and yet he …
Tag: WANA International
Jan 14 2013
Foreshadowing & Chekhov's Gun–Don't Blow It
The best way to have a successful novel is to learn to be a master at generating tension and conflict on every page. Of course we need to have an overall story problem that the protagonist needs to resolve by the end of the story. But, a lot of the story tension responsible for turning …
Jan 11 2013
Agent Secrets–Do Writers Need an Agent in the New Publishing Paradigm?
Hey Guys! I know it’s a wild and crazy world. Indie and self-publishing are exploding while traditional publishing is struggling to reinvent itself in the Digital Age. Yet, here’s the thing. Even if you go it alone, it is still a good idea to have an agent. There are contracts and film rights and foreign …
Nov 28 2012
NaNoNowWHAT? Small Steps for BIG Change
Ah, we are closing in on the end of National Novel Writing Month. Congratulations to those of you who finished 50,000 words, and congratulations to those who were brave enough to try, even if it didn’t go the way you would have liked. Whether you finished or didn’t finish NaNoWriMo, you are probably thinking NaNoWHAT …
Nov 14 2012
Why Settle for Your Reader's Wallet When You Can Get in Her PANTS?
Okay, any of you who regularly follow my blog know that I am totally out of my mind a bit eccentric. This past weekend I was speaking at the Idaho Book Extravaganza, and I had to excuse myself to the ladies’ room. As I closed the door to the stall, I noticed all the advertising …