My social media friends have advised me that, in order to be a successful writer I must glow with self-confidence, yet maintain the appearance of monkish humility. This confuses me. But over the years I have noticed a lot of actresses and writers who carry themselves with an imperial bearing, yet are constantly trumpeting their […]
Why I Have a Problem with the Word “Humility” Read More »
What makes fictional characters seem real, like you could reach behind the wall of words and find a living, breathing person there? A related question is: As a writer, how can I pretend to inhabit the mind of someone who has a different world view, background, knowledge, obsessions, and longings than I do?
Is There an Emotional Barrier to Creating Convincing Characters? Read More »
“If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off.” – Anton Chekhov This rule of story writing, often quoted, is considered elementary. When I learned it in college, it was a revelation. I had always
It Is Time to Start Breaking the Chekhov Rule of Story Writing Read More »
I sometimes lapse into unwilling envy, and even going into a bookstore is hard for me. I see all the books exploding from the shelves and wonder, is there any room left? And I think of my book at home, on my computer. I feel even less comforted when I consider
Writing: Communication or Competition? Read More »
I recently learned a startling piece of information: Apparently, when literary agents like your work, they call you. As a confirmed shy person, I thought, “You mean I will have to talk to her?” It was, I admit, a strange thought to have. What was I expecting, that we would
Writers No Longer Allowed to be Shy Read More »
As a kid I longed to draw things the way they really looked. I was especially fascinated with eyes. But whenever I tried to draw them, penciling in realistic highlights, they never had the natural warmth I wanted to capture. They always had a malicious glare that made them look evil. I could have continued
Getting Past the “Scary Eyes” Deterrent in Writing Read More »
During my recent move to Florida, certain people have done something unthinkable; they have ordered me to take a break from writing. “At least for a few weeks,” they said. “Until everything settles down.” No one has ever ordered me to take a break from eating or breathing but writing is dispensable, they say, not
Writing Through Stress and Upheaval Read More »
