Prolific? Not really.

When I told people that I had a new novel being published this year, as I did on this blog recently, revealing the beautiful…

Tips for Writers: Knowing Your Characters . . . and Yourself

Every year since 2001 I’ve seen at least one performance of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA. The cast…

Tips for Writers: The Author as Optometrist

One of the hallmarks of great literary fiction is its attention to character. Every story needs a plot, of course, and a setting, but…

Tips for Writers: Chaise Longue

The main character in my novel in progress is at a hotel and goes to the pool where she reclines in a . . . chaise…

Tips for Writers: Using the Possessive with a Gerund

I’m currently working on revisions to my novel manuscript. I’ve been over the draft numerous times, so I’m not finding a lot of typos…

“Shut up!” he explained.

Invariably in a fiction workshop the subject of dialogue tags will come up. A dialogue tag is the bit that’s slapped onto the end…

Tips for Writers: Where should I submit?

As most readers of this blog know, I publish an annual list of the top literary magazines. Many people have told me how helpful…

Tips for Writers: Learn “Buoyancy” in the face of rejection

Tips for Writers: Learn “buoyancy” in the face of rejection I have a writer friend who moderates a private online discussion called R.I.P –…

Tips for Writers: LitMag Submission Season

It’s September, and that means a lot of my writer friends are gearing up their submissions to literary magazines, many of which close to…

Tips for Writers: New Pages lists Independent Bookstores

Writers know bookstores, right? We shop there and often give readings or signings there. The big chains (is that word still plural? is there…