Earlier this week, an interview question got me thinking. It was a question about whether, just as I inhabit my characters’ minds in order to write them, my characters return the favor and inhabit my mind. The most straightforward answer is no. I don’t think about my characters unless I’m writing, or thinking about writing…. Read more »
writing
Things I Thought I Knew about Writing, But Had to Learn Again in New Ways from Bitterblue
Even if you go into a book knowing your plot and your plot never changes from your plan, you still don’t know what you’re getting into. Making messes isn’t just okay, it’s necessary. For most of the process, nothing but faith, fueled by your own stubbornness, will be pulling you along. The work that you’ve… Read more »
The World’s Smallest Reading/Writing Lesson
Look look! Hebrew cover from Kinneret-Zmora! —–> So, a gazillion years ago, I wrote a post about Megan Whalen Turner’s A Conspiracy of Kings, which included a picture of my own copy of the ARC. Afterwards, people kept asking me what was up with all the post-it flags, and I got all inspired and enthusiastic… Read more »
My Thoughts on Writer’s Block
First, unrelated, and from the Department of Misheard: Me: I just noticed that this bag I’m carrying discriminates against lefthanders! JD: Against werepanthers!!!? (Those of you who watch True Blood may have surmised that my friend JD watches it too.) Now. I get questions from time to time about writer’s block and how I deal… Read more »
Pressure and Thanks
I’m using one of my Swedish covers today in honor of Graceling being a best seller in Sweden :o). Thank you to my publisher Semic for making this happen! —> Today, outside my window, a woman’s voice said, “Holy shit! What is that thing?” I leaned toward the window and yelled, “It’s a turkey!” Yes,… Read more »
A Book Recommendation and a Bank Non-Recommendation
Writers out there: I strongly recommend the book Writing the Other: a Practical Approach, by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward. It’s the companion book to Shawl and Ward’s Writing the Other Workshop. From the workshop website (linked to above): “Are you afraid to write about characters whose racial heritage, sexual orientation, or religion differs from… Read more »
“There are shortcuts to happiness…
… and dancing is one of them.” – Vicki Baum Here’s a writing tip: dance. If you’re writing and you get stuck, or you’re tired but don’t want to stop quite yet, or your head is spinning, or it’s just time for a break — if you’re able, and in whatever way you’re able, dance…. Read more »
Randutiae for a Busy Week
I’m still having a funny stretch of dreams. The other night, after yet another trapeze class, I dreamed about a guy who was taking trapeze lessons. His name was Ted Zeppelin. The soundtrack of the dream was Pink Floyd, though, so there might be some band confusion in my brain somewhere. A quote from Mark… Read more »
Silence
I’m reading a book that’s gutting me and I can’t put it down; I had to hide it under a pile of blankets today in order to get any work done; and I think you should read it, too. It’s called Hush and it’s by Eishes Chayil, which is a pseudonym that means woman of… Read more »
Notes for the New Year
I kind of love New Year’s. Other holidays make me grumpy, but the new year makes me all contemplative and stuff. I’m thinking about my resolutions for this year, and will probably post something about that soon. To my readers in Germany: I’ll be visiting you this March (yay!), in Cologne, Leipzig, and possibly other… Read more »
