Writerly Ways

[cornerofmadness]

But not much of one since I barely slept and I'm trying to get ready for tomorrow. I thought, rather than me rambling on about things, how about a bunch of helpful links, something everyone could use. That would be a good writerly ways in its own right. Many were passed to me by my friend, ES (thank you) and others from around the web.


You just sold your book, now what? In my current field they don't do head shots, like she suggests here, but I was thinking of that recently. What is it with putting lady mystery writers in 'bad ass' clothing that looks ridiculous on them. J D Robb (Nora Roberts), Linda Fairstein, Alex Kava, all of them in black leather pants and often leather jackets. I think that by the time you're 50, leather pants is just a no and Kava's head shot she was all in black on a black background so she looked like a floating head. Yeah, if you are going to do a head shot, let me echo this author's 'make it a good one.'

magical mid point who doesn't struggle with the middle?

unusual world building given what a lot of us write, this should be helpful

getting it done This is from Joss Whedon so just go and have a look at what he has to say.

writing tips someone went to a high power writing con and summed up a bunch of bestsellers' tips

eyewitness to history a history resource

author mission statement more things to think on when looking for agents and after

a 20 min lecture on your writing career by a writer for Arrest Development

agent wish list this came from a tweet-a-thon not only can you see what agents are and aren't looking for, you can see agent names so you can research them on your own. Just remember do not pitch to an agent on twitter. It's considered noobish and rude.

Badass creative give yourself permission to be creative

biggest writing mistakes and how to fix them

And for all the fanficcers out there sholio (smacks hard) reminded me that the spook_me ficathon for Halloween is alive and well. Oh I don't need to sign up....but I wanna

and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to gaia_lulia! I hope it's a great day

yearly word count

107030 / 130000
(82.33%)

I like the tens in this

Comments

[sholio]

I REGRET NOTHING

The links are great; thank you for posting them!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you don't.

you're welcome

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links. I might forward a couple of them to the writers' group. God knows they need some of this advice.

I began to notice the authors' pics on the backs of books when I started doing repairs. The "I'm a character in my own novel!" ones crack me up. Danielle Steele in her ball gowns *eyeroll*. Nora Roberts is never going to look like a badass no matter how many chic, black leather jackets they photograph her in. I think my favorite is Ken Follet--he's been writing so long that, if you put his author photos together in the right sequence, you can see him go from full-on '80's boy-band wanna-be to a pudgy, silver-haired grandpa. That said, I think I like the candid author photos the best. My favorite--I forget the author, unfortunately--was of the (female) writer sitting on her stairs, laughing about something. She looked natural and approachable, and I would definitely pick up her book, if not actually buy it.

And here's hoping that your first day back isn't nearly as bad as you're afraid it will be (or was, depending on when you read this).

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

good luck. Usually the ones who need it most heed it less.

My exact thoughts on Nora Roberts. I kinda liked the ones of Dean Koontz with his Golden Retriever for the same reason. He looks approachable instead of how cool and bad ass am I?

Thanks. It's actually a very short day on Monday. How much can go wrong in handing out the syllabi? No, don't ask that Dana.

[gaia-lulia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was a pretty good day.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

glad to hear it

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

Good resource list. As for head shots, I've never seen a picture of myself I liked, so I let others pick for me.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Oh i hear you on that one.

But I hope to have enough sense not to dress up in my teenager's clothing and try to look bad ass to start with

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

My clothing preference hasn't changed in 30 years, so most likely I am still dressing up in teenager's clothing ... I'd better check into that.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

haha for men, the styles change less but if you look like the quintessial 80's man then yes

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

Emily's working on it ... I've progressed into the 90's!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

there you go