Surviving Writers Rejection
I still remember that day when my then-publisher rejected my second book, which was to have been Book 2 in a two-book contract.
In retrospect, I'm sure that editor was justified. The book was a 180-degree switch from the first book, it wasn't very plot driven, and it was, she said, "very dark in places."
Is This Thing On? 6 Tips For Doing Author Interviews
This week I was interviewed by the editors at The Fem, an online feminist literary magazine.
It's always a thrill to be interviewed--not just because it's flattering, but because it forces us to step back and behold our work, our lives, and why we even bother to write in the first place.
Valentines Day Essays
I've never been a big holiday person. There have been years when I wish Christmas would go away, when I wanted to keep my birthday secret, and when I spent Thanksgiving just walking on the beach. And please, don't get me started on Saint Patrick's Day.
When The Writing Life Turns Scary (Plus Some Fixes)
Vampires? Witches? Ghouls? Yes, they're Halloween scary (maybe), but they've got nothing on our spookiest writer moments.
Page to Stage: Reading A Memoir Out Loud
Before I submitted it to my literary agent, I re-drafted and edited the pages of my book-length memoir at least 20 times.
Last March, I toted my printed manuscript--plus a bunch of sticky notes--to a Florida beach where I lounged under the tropical rays while giving the book its final copy edit and spit polish.
Labor Day, Writing and Stephen King
Seven years ago, a student of mine recommended Stephen King's book, "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft."
I had never read a King novel, but I decided to give his book on writing a try.
6 Lame Writer Excuses (and 6 Reality Checks)
I just got off the phone with a young intern who is working on a blog post about how new writers get started and get to break into publishing.
“What do you think is the single biggest barrier to getting published?” She asked.
“Yourself,” I said.
Writing Creative Nonfiction: 5 Things It's Taught Me About All Writing
Once, at one of those literary receptions, a male writer friend introduced me to a woman I didn't know.
“This is Aine,” he said. “She’s “bitextual."