I am still–and continually–reading Page Fright, which means I have become more obsessed with the process of writing than usual. It also makes me think of how both writers and non-writers fetishize the process, giving birth to the idea that ‘real writers’ write longhand, or only use typewriters; that ‘real writers’ must have certain conditions met–perfect silence, a particular type of… (more…)
Writer: n. Someone living in a constant state of wtf by choice. ~Eric Andrew Satchwill Lately, I’ve been reading Page Fright: Foibles and Fetishes of Famous Writers by Harry Bruce. At one point, he quotes a number of authors talking about the abject terror they feel when they sit down to write, and it got me thinking about my own attitude… (more…)
This is an incredibly exciting day for me because today I have become an author. That’s right. I have been a writer for years now by simple virtue of putting ideas out in words, but today I can officially call myself a published author. Felt Tips, the office supply erotica anthology (and second kinkiest thing I’ve done for charity), is out… (more…)
Much like with people in real life, character dynamics can get… messy. Especially when we’re suddenly forced to look at them through the eyes of an outsider. I ran into this in the scene I’m currently writing for the second book in the series. I’ve spent more than an entire book with my core cast by this point; I know… (more…)
Since today is Back Up Your Novel Day, I thought I’d share with you how I work backing up my novel into the daily process of writing so that I never forget to do it. First and foremost, I use Dropbox as my primary save folder. Anything saved on my computer is automatically backed up, without my even having to… (more…)
or Why Am I Wrestling An Octopus Into A Mayonnaise Jar Again? “Writing a novel… is like wrestling an octopus into a mayonnaise jar.” –Attributed to Patti Hill. I think this quote describes the writing process perfectly (thank you @BA_Matthews for bringing it to my attention). It’s not impossible to wrestle an octopus into a mayonnaise jar. They’re squishy and can squeeze… (more…)
We all have our writing routines. Some are more strict than others, some involve a particular setting or music, and some include what we’re reading when we’re not working. Sometimes we need these routines–and sometimes we need to abandon them for something completely different. My routine typically involves listening to no music whatsoever while working, and reading a similar genre… (more…)
I’d like to take a quick break from my irregularly scheduled blog to direct you towards my Felt Tips interview with Jenny Lyn, posted here on her blog. She’s doing interviews with all the anthology contributors between now (well, from a little before now) and the release date December 12, 2012. I encourage you to go back and read the other… (more…)
Walking into this bookstore is a different experience than walking into pretty much any other bookstore for one very good reason: it isn’t any other bookstore. It isn’t just another of a large chain of stores striving to make every shopping experience absolutely identical. This bookstore has an identity. I’m talking specifically about Shelf Life Books in Calgary, but I’m… (more…)
As you can probably guess, I’m deep in the middle of the editing process on my novel. I’ve been through the whole story at least once–some parts many, many more times than that–and now I’m making all those minor adjustments needed for the story to flow and make sense. Except that there are no minor adjustments. Not really. One of… (more…)