Pictured: Not my character, FWIW, but still a fairly demanding lady. Some authors say their characters take over. Some authors say that's rubbish. The writer is the boss! Well, yes? While I wouldn't say my characters take over, at times, when I'm contemplating the plot, I write the plot a certain way and it just …
I've finished NaNoWriMo! I have not, of course, finished the novel. It's a massive rewrite of a previous NaNo novel. I scrapped half the plot and took the story in a new direction. Now there's a ghost! No, it's not a horror story. The ghost has a lively (lively?) personality, but the story is really …
Sharing scenes from my current novel-in-progress (maaaaybeeee novellaaaaa...) has been quite the experience. So in no particular order... ...it forces me to write something. I promised to send people scenes every Sunday, and I haven't missed a Sunday yet (17 Sundays so far!) ...it pushes me through my fear of judgment. The fear is still …
I'm getting back into the swing of things. Which is not to say I won't swing out of control in a few days. And by that I mean a Marta-esque out of control, which doesn't involve drugging, excessive drinking, or anything worthy of a good biography. No, for the moment, I've got a bit of …
I guess I'm finding the new routine. I'm sending out a somewhat simpler version of my newsletter. What's the difference between my newsletter and my blog? I usually write about books I'm reading and other things I want to share. I'll put fiction there I don't put here. This time I actually put the same …
Now with the first week of online teaching behind me and our new normal routine settling in, I hope to regain my focus and energy. At least some of it. I'll continue post scenes from on my manuscripts as I go through rewrites (taking a page from Charles Dickens and other such authors who serialized …
These are strange days indeed. I'm teaching from home, which is weird, though I'm getting used to it. I might be coming out of the creative fog I've been in. Don't want to jinx it, but nevertheless, here I am, testing fate and hoping for the best. Years ago one NaNoWriMo, I started this story …
It's Tuesday again, so here we are. I'm going to be writing a query letter this weekend. If you don't know how, plenty of websites, articles, and podcasts will explain it. Somehow it still feels impossible. I have to summarize my novel's plot and make it sound irresistible. I've read that if you can write …
Sometimes you have to change your plan. I tend to put a lot of thought into my plans, and can therefore be resistant to changing them. But the universe is going to do what the universe is going to do, plans be damned. My novel was published by the late, great Plum Tree Books/UK. This …
I'm getting ready for my first book signing ever. I'm participating in a group book signing. Three other authors and I will be at our local Barnes & Noble. I'm glad that other authors will be there. Takes some of the pressure off. I ordered a poster for my table. I'll back it with foam …
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 