How to Stay in the Room (Part 1)
A full-time writer shares her secrets to staying organized, from writing software to spreadsheets.
In Defense of Longhand
Barbara Christina on what's to be gained from trading keyboards for pen and ink.
Writer’s Block Buster: Think Inside a Box
Because ideas only seem to strike in the shower, our columnist attempts to break free of writer's block by confining herself to a similar small space.
An Impractical Solution for an Impractical Era
Given that we’re already well into the second decade of the twenty-first century, I’m willing to bet that your writing machine is also an e-mail machine, a blog machine, a magazine and newspaper machine, a Facebook machine, a Twitter machine, and in some cases a pinball machine.
Yes, You Can Trust Him
Stephen King is one of those writers self-proclaimed literary authors avoid reading. He must be doing something right, however, because as of this moment, King has written 49 novels and sold more than 350 million copies.
A Furious Blaze of Liquid-Life Energy
One of the questions that torments me as a writer—and trust me, there are many—is the question of free will. Do I believe that individuals have the freedom to choose their own destiny?
Query Letters That DON’T Work, Not Even a Little Bit
Having personally harassed over a thousand literary agents in the greater Tri-State area, I thought I’d share a few samples of flawed query letters so that you may learn from my mistakes.
How to Offend Your Family
What’s the point of being a writer if not to let your resentments build over a lifetime so that you may one day slay your family members through the refracted mirror of art?
Sexism in Publishing: It’s About More Than Just Numbers
Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a tangible wave sweeping through publishing. Dare I say, it’s a veritable movement.
Defining Narrative Arc
Normally, in workshop, I am quick to share definitions and advice... But on this question—“What is narrative arc?” I found myself unusually hesitant.
Out of the Dry Dock
While I made poetry my main mistress for the past seven years, my education has been rather brief. There are many vital questions I should know, different forms I should be able to write, and meter I should understand.
It’s Horrible, Stupid, and I Hate it: Coping With Criticism