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Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month) 2011

It's almost that time of the year again when maniacs all over the world sign up on a website (www.nanowrimo.org) and vow to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th.    And when I say all over the world, I mean all over the world.  There are Wrimos (Nanowrimo participants) in Africa (including, but not limited to, Israel and other countries in the Middle East), Asia,...

Thrillerfest VI

Last month, I attended Thrillerfest - an annual conference put on by International Thriller Writers - for the very first time.  The conference was held in New York City at the Grand Central Hyatt Hotel, July 6-9, 2011. Thrillerfest is an event devoted to thriller writers and thriller enthusiasts.  Every year, bestselling authors such as R.L. Stine, Ken Follett, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Diana...

Scriptfrenzy – It’s Almost That Time Again

To do, or not to do, Scriptfrenzy this year?  That is the question. For some of you, the question might be: "What the heck is Scriptfrenzy? "  Scriptfrenzy is a wonderful event where writers all over the world sign up on a website - - and vow to write a 100 page script within 30 days from April 1 to April 30th. It could be a stage play, a movie script or a script of an episode of your favorite...

The Benefits of Having A Critique Partner and Being a Member of a Writers Group

One of the reasons you haven't heard much from me lately is that I've been spending every second of my free time (some of my friends are laughing at those last three  words) editing my romance novel manuscript. Last week, I finally got the first three chapters to the point where I felt I could send it to the head of my writers group, the Grammar Divas and my readers for review and comment....

Finding The Time To Write

As usual, I am trying to do way too much.  I'm working on editing my romance novel so that I can send a polished product to the editors and agents who have requested to see it.   I started drafting a science fiction script for Scriptfrenzy.  I'm working out and doing what I have to do to make sure I have healthy food choices available to me so that I can continue my weight loss...

My Experience at the Silken Sands Writers Conference

I've just returned from the Silken Sands Writers Conference in Pensacola, Florida.  The conference is held every other year (they alternate years with the Southern Magic Conference given by the Birmingham Chapter of Romance Writers of America).  I had the most wonderful time at the conference and learned a great deal.  Although the Gulf Coast Chapter Romance Writers of America is a...

A Woman in Search of a Genre

 I recently attended the San Francisco Writers Conference and one of the things I learned was that, in order to effectively pitch a novel to an agent or an editor, a writer must be able to specifically identify the genre of the book as well as the demographics of the audience who will want to purchase it. It is not enough to say: "I'm writing fiction and the book will appeal to everyone." ...

The Benefits of Attending a Writers Conference

A couple of weeks ago,  I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference.  It was a great experience.  I had been to the Maui Writers Conference several times before.  I always came  back from those trips refreshed and renewed and having learned a lot about the craft of writing.   I didn't have high expectations for the San Francisco Writers Conference.  I doubted that  it would be able...