I came across an interesting blog entry today, courtesy of the Renegade Writer Blog, that referenced ten common excuses for putting off writing. The author of the original piece is Gina Hiatt, Ph.D., [...]

At the Mysterious Matters blog , a mystery editor shed light on common reasons for manuscript rejection.  Apparently at their office, they keep a database of all the works they turn down.  On [...]

Okay, I know it seems I’m hopping around a lot between topics.  That’s because not only am I starting a new book, but I’ve got a book that’s being published next summer.  Although [...]

Agent Susan Rabiner offers seven tips on getting your book proposal noticed on her client, Penelope Trunk’s, blog . On the other hand, Penelope Trunk writes five reasons why you don’t need to [...]

Check out this blog entry by Moonrat regarding the editorial cycle: Editorial Ass: the Editing Cycle (a confession) . It’s reassuring to know that editors experience the same gamut of feelings that writers [...]

Here is Brian Klems’ article for Writer’s Digest on submission don’ts. He’s recently back from the Maui Writers Conference (apparently a great event, if you’ve got the means) and the five “don’ts” were [...]

Nine-tenths of the advice out there urges writers to obtain an agent before negotiating your book contract with a publisher. Here is an excellent blog (written by editor Moonrat) explaining why having an [...]

  The Carolina Conspiracy had a panel discussion this past weekend at the Gaston County Public Library in Gastonia, North Carolina, on the topic “Murder for Fun and Profit.” The branch sponsors many [...]

I would download this book, but I already have it in my library–have had it in my library since high school, actually.  If you’re not familiar with Elements of Style by William Strunk,  [...]

Okay, I know our time is limited as writers. If you have other big things going on (parenting, aging parents, a time-consuming day-job), then you have even less time. But I really think [...]

I’ll admit that I took a couple of months off this past summer. Our house was on the market (unsuccessfully, I might add! Obviously, the housing market is less than ideal right now). [...]

Today was one of those days where I couldn’t even sit down unless I was in the driver’s seat of my minivan.  Plus, it was like the Fates were throwing every wacky curve [...]

I love reading mysteries.  That’s the whole reason I chose the genre to write for.  But when I’m writing a book, I try not to read books that are similar to my own.  [...]