Monthly Archives: May 2013

Planting Seeds

One day, a young man went to a wise elder and told him that he despaired of ever becoming a success. The old man nodded sympathetically and handed him some bamboo seeds. He told the young man to plat them … Continue reading

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Self-publishing Support

* In the first 10 months of 2012, self-published titles accounted for 3% of total market share in units and 1% of dollars spent. * 74% of self-published ebooks purchased were adult fiction, 23% of which were romance; just 9% … Continue reading

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Really Seeing

“Find the gesture! What is the essence of that pose? How does that pose feel to the model? The whole pose — quick, quick! No, not the arm or the leg. The line of energy. What is the pose about? … Continue reading

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Writers Everywhere

Attending my friends’ barbecue to kick off the holiday weekend was fun. It was rainy outside, but warm and cozy inside with a fire blazing, delicious food, and beer on tap — a great way to start the summer! I … Continue reading

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Unknown Soldier

In honor of Memorial Day, a lovely meditation on heroism: American Hero by Mary West Jorgensen “Our history is studded with heroic names. These names compose a world roster from which almost every nation may choose one and say: He … Continue reading

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Patterson Payoff

Well, there I was in a waiting room…waiting. And waiting. Luckily, I did not enter it empty-handed. I grabbed a James Patterson – Andrew Gross thriller called Judge & Jury and took it along for the trip. Like many of … Continue reading

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Staying Power

“I get up every day and go to work like anyone else.” Mark Winegardner Every once in a while, I come across an interview with a writer that seems not just helpful, but hard-hitting. Since writing often seems like such … Continue reading

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Brain Boosters

Writing, as we all know, takes huge amounts of emotional and mental stamina. And one of the most wonderful things about our line of work is that you can do pursue it indefinitely, as long as you stay sharp and … Continue reading

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Showers, Coffee

Showers, coffee, walking, taking a nap — when it comes to stoking creativity, just about anything goes, according to Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, an intriguing new book by Mason Currey. While ferreting out the work rituals and patterns of … Continue reading

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Did I?

“What you are aiming for is beautiful and even noble.” Richard Bausch Sometimes it’s hard to remember that what we are aiming for as writers is “beautiful and noble,” isn’t it? So it’s always helpful to be reminded of it. … Continue reading

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