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“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.” — … Continue reading →

I’m supposed to be on a writing break. But so far it hasn’t been much of one. I’m finding that it’s easier to say “break” than to actually do it. For example, since deciding on a break I’ve done edits … Continue reading →

I don’t think anyone thinks there are actual writing “rules” that, if followed, can lead to “success.” But maybe some people do. I don’t know. “Rules” are made to be “broken,” of course. One of Elmore Leonard’s “rules” is to … Continue reading →

Some links… Mark Sarvas offers thoughts and advice to first-time novelists. Elmore Leonard’s famous rules for writing (“1. Never open a book with weather”; “10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip”). Several authors (including Zadie … Continue reading →

My wife and I (mostly my wife) are in the process of potty training our twins. So we’re knee-deep in the classics of potty training lit: Once Upon a Potty, Big Boys Use the Potty, Potty Time, etc. And we’re … Continue reading →