Jenny Crusie's Whiteboard System and Collage Pre-Writing

Maybe This Time

New York Times Best Selling Author Jennifer Crusie's approach to finding her plot and working out the details is the most unusual I've run across, and fascinating and pretty!

Read, look and marvel.

Collage as Prewriting and Inspiration -- The Explanation

Collages for Various Books -- The Illustration

Her Whiteboard System of Outlining

Homework Week One

1. Take yourself on an Artist’s

     Date.

2. Try “morning pages.”

3. Read the “first pages.”

4. Use your “capture device.”

5. Watch Witness .

6. Be a writer.

Got questions?  Ask!  (Or email me.)  And don't forget to sign up for email delivery of this blog.

Go write something!

It's January and That Means...

Tonight is my first class of the fall semester, and tomorrow morning I have another. If you are signed up for classes, have googled and tracked me down and found me here--tell me!

And welcome!

It's going to be a great semester, and you're going to write a novel.

Ready? Set? Go!

Why a Writer Who Doesn't Need an Agent Wants One

Laura Anne Gilman explains today, as she announces her partnership with her new agent.

I know that it's popular now for writers to decide to go sans agent, and handle their affairs on their own, or with a lawyer's assist (especially if they've been burned in the past). I'd never say "don't do that" because for many people that is the right decision. But not for me.

Ironic, perhaps, since my previous career as an editor gave me the skills to go solo (I have no fear of negotiations, contracts or paperwork).

Read why.

Jim Hines Reveals All

No, I'm not talking about Jim Hines copycatting extreme cover-poses from paranormal/science fiction novels, although he certainly does that for both fun and charity.

I'm talking about his continuing honest sharing of his publishing-related finances.

Here's his breakdown of what he earned writing last year, along with comparisons to previous years.

If you don't already follow Jim, you should.

I have new classes starting Jan 28 and 29. Are you in them? Let me know. I'm glad to meet students ahead of time here!

Books You Didn't Like?

I was glad to read Sherwood Smith's blog entry today about books she didn't love in 2012.

As a teacher I'm constantly having people tell me how much they love books that I don't, or haven't read and don't want to. The reasons are varied. It has nothing to do with quality of work and everything to do with, "It's subjective."

I don't care how many people rave about Cormac McCarthy; his books sound so dark and depressing to me I haven't gotten to a point where I want to give them a shot.  I know he's a hugely respected writer, an award-winning writer, a writer my students often find inspiring. That's all good and wonderful and I won't mock anybody for loving Cormac McCarthy.

I will mock Twilight because it's fun to mock Twilight but I honestly won't mock readers who love Twilight. Some of my best friends love Twilight!

Anyway, I suggest you read Sherwood's thoughts and join in the discussion.

She definitely has a few thoughts on the subject!

No, I haven't forgotten you.

Though if you want to keep up with what's going on in my world it's best to follow planetpooks and/or me on facebook and/or twitter.

But I do post writing things here that don't make it to the other places, so if all you want is the occasional writing thing, you are in the right place! (Or, if you're taking a current class and want to be sure you are getting any info I might find to share between classes.)

So what am I sharing today?

From Laini Taylor: Cultivate the attitude that every word you write need not end up in the book. Some things are just exercises, part of the process of discovery. Be willing to do more work than will show. The end result is all that matters. Be huge and generous and fearless. 

Go. Read her blog post. Be prepared to understand what being a pro writer is all about.

And while you're at it, make 2013 a grand year for writing!