Writers are human beings, so unfortunately when three or more are gathered together they will break into at least two factions. I know this because I belonged to a writers group for a few years.
Deadlines are hell. Anyone knows that, but self-imposed deadlines are the worst because there's no one standing over you with a whip.
Life is full of surprises, like discovering that someone you were communicating with was having a totally different conversation.
My novel is about redemption, about accepting fate and even a little romance, but mostly it's about war.
One of Fogel's main complaints, and the subject of her guest post yesterday, is that I don't have a clear picture in my own head of my characters.
1. I'm a great believer in writing from the inside out. What that means is that, although good story is more important than good writing, writing is the only means you have of conveying the story.
There's a box with a manuscript in it sitting on my desk. It's the manuscript where each neatly printed page has been marred by The Fogel's harsh scrawls.
When I took time off between seasons to write, I often wondered if I was a productive member of society. Perhaps it was because no one gave me a pay at the end of the week to prove that my presence was valued.
I had to turn down a contract because it was a vanity press masquerading as a traditional publisher.
I dare to put my short stories up against Alice Munro's.