All right. Having found my Inner Ferret I am now in the process of training him. And I’ve discovered some useful things.
His name is Finn. He’s black and white. He’s easily distracted by email and will chase Search Engines round their tracks–and everyone else’s–for hours.
On one hand he doesn’t like structure. On the other hand [...]
Research is a means to an end, not an end in itself
“A man will turn over half a library to make one book.” Samuel Johnson
If you’re writing and you suddenly need the name of a well known and expensive dining room china service available in London in the mid 1800’s, do not repeat do [...]
Stand alone. Don’t be a clone
“Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.” Flannery O’Connor
A writer has to be a learner, but she should also be discerning about [...]
Write for yourself, not the market
“The market is a place set apart where men may deceive each other.” Diogenes Laertius
In order to be true to herself and content in her work a writer must write her book–her reality–as she sees it. This means that if your voice lends itself to chick lit and someone “in the [...]
Get words on the screen.
“You can fix anything but a blank page.” Nora Roberts
Allow yourself the freedom to write crap. If you’re anything like me you’re going to edit it into a paper bag later anyway, so don’t get sidetracked by trying to make each word perfect first time round.
Inspiration, like a good blacksmith, strikes [...]
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