Writing Tips

Ten years ago today, on the 40th anniversary of Sandra...

Finding a good literary agent – which is generally the...

I am working through plotting issues myself and returned to...

No Social Distancing Required for Fictional Friends Like many now...

The two books that made me dream of becoming a...

I’m in Paris, working on a new novel, and just...

It’s a rainy evening in Paris, just minutes before the...

In celebration of Nanowrimo, I’m rerunning some of my favorite...

For NanoWriMo month, I’m going to repost some of my...

Pencil, from the Latin penicillus, meaning “little tail.” Little tail?...

On this day 100 years ago, 18-year-old Ernest Hemingway (yes...

I was saddened to hear the news last night that...

Last year I started an effort to share a quote...

Another bit of great writing advice from John Steinbeck:...

John Steinbeck Supports for #NANOWRIMO...

Advice from Steinbeck to kick off #Nanowrimo...

Today marks the anniversary of the publication in 1940 of...

Nobel- and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison‘s novels include The...

My guest today, Anne Michaud, is a veteran political journalist...

For the first day of fall, from Nora Ephron: Don’t...

25 Quotes on Writing and Life from a few Amazing...

"Reading is bliss." - Nora Ephron...

If you’ve heard me speak, you might know this is...

Well, it’s been a tough couple months and I’ve fallen...

Harper Lee would have been 91 today. Seems a good...

Again, the amazing Nora Ephron, this one from “When Harry...

A bit of love for @loftliterary...

Today’s quote, just because I like it: Writing is a...

I recently participated in Aaron Sorkin’s online screenwriting master class...

7 bits of Irish wisdom for St. Patrick's Day...

I had the loveliest lunch yesterday, a gathering of nine...

I’m looking forward to lunch today with some terrific authors...

Horton Foote, American author, playwright and screenwriter, was born 101...

Today’s quote, from the amazing Anna Quindlen: Books are the...

I love this quote from Harper Lee:   I never...

One of my all-time favorite books is To Kill a...

Today’s quote, on reading, from Jane Austen: I declare after...

Today’s quote, from Jane Smiley’s Thirteen Ways of Looking at...

"I try to write parts for women that are as...

My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully, and...

Our finger prints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”...

My last post in celebration of the Supreme Court upholding...

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring the...

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring the...

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring the...

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring the...

Celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Supreme Court declaring the...

Ninety-five years ago today, the Supreme Court unanimously declared the...

Offering this one today, with an alternative: You have to...

I so loved the movie Hidden Figures that I am...

Today’s quote, from Elizabeth Strout’s lovely Abide with Me. I...

I’ve just started reading Christina Baker Kline‘s brand new novel...

Today’s quote: Writing is a job, a talent, but it’s...

Celebrating Anäis Nin’s birthday with one of my favorite quotes...

Not sure what started me on this Emily Dickinson kick...

Today is Toni Morrison’s birthday. In presenting her the Medal...

Closing out the work week with great writing and life...

Certainly the most poetic writing advice I know of, from...

Did you know Emily Dickinson wrote her poetry on scraps...

If you haven’t read Nicole Krauss’s The History of Love...

More on the love theme for Valentine’s Day, this time...

Looking forward to Valentine’s Day Tuesday, how about a love...

I expect I could fill a whole year of quotes...

More writing wisdom from Sylvia Plath today: “Some things are...

For many years, I kept my rejection slips, although I...

  “I write only because There is a voice within...

“Perhaps some day I’ll crawl back home, beaten, defeated. But...

Fair warning: I’m a Sylvia Plath fan and have been...

From Virginia Woolf: Lock up your libraries if you like;...

I’m offering today’s quote, from one of the contemporary writers...

As it’s Gertrude Stein’s birthday today — her 143rd —...

Today’s quote, from Margaret Atwood, seems as important these days...

More Wisdom from Nora Ephron, from her commencement address to...

Closing out January with a last quote from Anne Frank:...

Today’s quote, again from Anne Frank: Again, if you haven’t...

Staying with the Anne Frank theme today, an important voice...

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single...

Day #5 of writing in earnest, and a little humor...

Day #4 of writing in earnest, and here is a...

Day #3 of writing in earnest, and I’m offering a...

Day #2 of writing in earnest: Make up a story…...

I’m buckling down to write in earnest this week, so...

Love this quote and what it says about the term...

I thought a quote from a literary great about women’s...

Another from my fave, Eleanor Roosevelt, whose “My Day” column...

Today’s, from Toni Morrison, for those of who, like me...

I do hope that as you enjoy this quote you...

Staying on the dream theme for another day here: The...

"Lift up your eyes upon / The day breaking for...

For the second post of this Maya Angelou weekend …...

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love...

Call this a J.K. Rowling 3-fer, which yes, may have...

This video featuring Pixar screenwriter Michael Arndt is a terrific...

And on a J.K. Rowling streak to match my Jane...

It is our choices ... that show what we truly...

Keeping with the reading theme here for a few days...

On this day when I know it is snowy and...

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not...

But for my own part, if a book is well...

Today, wisdom from French writer Simone de Beauvoir: Change your...

Today’s quote — with an image! — from American novelist...

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the...

“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”...

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes...

“It is never too late to be what you might...

6 informative writing tips -- and a few extra funny...

Lucy Jane Bledsoe is the author of the just-released A...

“My spelling is Wobbly. It’s good spelling but it Wobbles...

Ann Douglas is the author of numerous books about parenting...

I thought those of you writing crime fiction might like...

Be strange. It's the secret of great writing. No one...

Micah Perks won an NEA grant and The New Guard...

This week’s 1 Thing Thursday: Consider entering a contest! I...

This week’s 1 Thing Thursday asks the question: How Long...

For today’s 1 Thing Thursday, I offer you a charmingly...

I decided when I was traveling to add what I...

Since today is the 71st anniversary of the End of...

What makes people follow, favorite, click, and retweet? This post...

When I first started this blog, I wrote a post (run...

Did you know that Sunday mornings from mid-September through June...

For Memorial Day, five quotes from great writers about the...

  Harper Books, which published my latest novel, has had...

I’ve collected a few nice Irish quotes — and two...

I woke this morning to the news that Pat Conroy...

To put you in a literary Valentine’s Day Mood, 8...

I’m pushing two projects forward now, and my heart is...

May I recommend this interview -- Elizabeth Strout with Terry...

Elizabeth Strout's first novel was published in 2000 which, if...

The best way I know of the celebrate the holidays...

3 Writing programs worth a look...

On this day in 1900, Henry James first wrote to...

“A word after a word after a word is power.”...

I’m still touring — in Minneapolis and Chicago this coming...

Lisa Brackmann is the critically acclaimed author of the Ellie...

Writer Wins Love Lottery Because this is a writing blog...

Lucky all of us who love great fiction: a new...

a few literary fathers and Fathers Day Quotes that illustrate...

(Or, how I spent my Sunday night on a virtual...

For a little literary fun, Match the Amazon 1-Star Review...

Debut novelist Laura Nicole Diamond started with a legal career...

Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke write novels. Together. And they...

10 Writing Tips from the Writing Masters for Writing this...

I’m celebrating the 7th anniversary of 1st Books this week...

What makes people follow, favorite, click, and retweet?...

One of these 13 writing prompts were my way into...

My guest this week, Christine Breen hails from Kiltumper, Ireland...

Fitzgerald never lived to see The Great Gatsby acknowledged as...

When Mac and I first explored Pacific Grove almost two...

The truth is the combination of dazzling on the page...

Did you know April is National Poetry Month? The Academy of...

Funny advice from Irish writers for St. Patrick's Day, including...

The theme this year is "Make it happen." For me...

Choosing the right details and working them into the text...

One of the dearest and most generous writers I know...

Heavens to Betsy! I don’t often like to talk about...

Unless you're an editor willing to wrap up a book...

I had the great fortune to read a galley for Ann...

Diane Drake, my teacher for an online screenwriting course I’m...

the books aren’t shelved alphabetically, but the booksellers can find...

Désirée Zamorano‘s novel The Amado Women is just out from...

Liz Rosner has not one but two books coming out now...

If you think you have an excuse not to write...

A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle just released...

It’s not just about the running. I’ve been a runner...

I am SO delighted to host my SheWrites.com pal, Cassandra...

The 2014 Bailey Prize winner (formerly the Orange Prize) for...

April is National Poetry Month, and today — the one...

Kelly O’Connor McNees guest posted here when her first novel...

Can you identify what is different about this list of...

Harpers calls Katie Hafner’s sixth book, Mother Daughter Me, “an...

My very dear friend M.J. Rose has a new novel...

When Cathy Marie Buchanan asked if I’d read her new novel, The Painted...

I’m just delighted to host Ariel Lawhon, whose debut novel...

When my husband and I first got married and his...

  1st Books will be back in 2014! Enjoy the...

I’m ever curious how the New York Times editors’ book taste...

an amazing Colorado indie now at the airport, in case...

Unless you’re an editor willing to wrap up a book...

I first hosted New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch’s on 1st...

After I read in the New York Times that The...

I am so delighted to host Harriet Scott Chessman on the occasion...

Today’s guest author, Sara J. Henry, is a LONGtime friend. We were...

To celebrate the paperback publication of Dan Chaon‘s story collection Stay...

Ann Mah shares her story of writing her gorgeous new...

On this autumnal equinox – the perfect balance of day...

Early in my writing career, I had the incredible good...

Agatha Christie was born 123 years ago today–an old bird...

I’m delighted to welcome Nick Taylor back to 1st Books...

I heard on NPR this morning that Elmore Leonard passed...

A cool bookstore–in so many ways! I was just on...

I grew up reading Agatha Christie, and mysteries remain my...

One true story I perhaps shouldn’t admit: The original title...

Warwick’s knows books, and luncheon menus, too! When I was...

Wordsworth and his brother were walking in the English Lakes...

“The fells are never twice alike.” – Beatrix Potter, from...

“Some of the walls were four feet thick, and there...

Just a few of my favorite literary quotes about fathers...

If you don’t know where the English Lakes are, pull...

This week’s 1st Books guest, Marybeth Whalen, is the author of...

...

When I first met Sarah Jio – at the Pulpwood Queens...

I know, I know. Caramel. Crunch. Or maybe it’s the...

Chaucer's Books - a terrific independent bookstore Santa Barbara CA...

Joan Steinau Lester’s second novel, Mama’s Child released yesterday. Alice...

So much good news to smush in to one post...

The New York Times Modern Love column had already turned...

On this last day of National Poetry Month, I’m keeping...

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area and don’t...

Having only recently learned to size my Timeline photos 403×403...

Allie Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novel...

Poet Joan Gelfand is chipping in for the 1st Books...

Can I resist the excuse of the intersection of Earth...

Of the many wonderful moments in National Poetry month, my...

In a small moment, I’m left steeped in some feeling...

I’ve been using social media interfacing software for some time...

Barbara Walters broke the glass so many times in her...

Nichole Bernier’s fabulous The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D –...

great fiction at the front of the store, and terrific...

8 Great Tips for Successful Writing Groups, from The Company...

If you want to be a writer, or any kind...

What makes people follow, favorite, click, and retweet? And does...

For most of history, Anonymous was a (feminist) woman...

Since there is no way that I know of to...

Have you been to Copperfield's Books lately? These fabulous stores...

What's in a writers conference for the writers-panelists? Gets me...

A box of the early reader copies of The Wednesday...

I read a poem last night that was both lovely...

“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes...

This week’s guest author, Julie Kibler, began writing Calling Me...

my bookstore the summer I became a fanatic reader I...

I did a panel on writing dialogue at the San...

There are so many reasons I am absolutely delighted to...

I sent a tweet to my friend Caroline Leavitt yesterday...

The Wednesday Daughters galley pages have arrived! Is there a...

This little heart I was so proud of Friday garnered...

A Survival Guide to Writers' Conferences: 1. Eat Chocolate for...

This week, I’m rerunning two previous posts, one to celebrate...

In case you haven’t been watching, the ALA awarded the...

I’m often asked if I always wanted to be a...

I went to graduate school right after college, in part...

An easy to-do for anyone with a personal facebook page...

I recently posted on my Huffington Post blog a Twitterature...

That has been my saving grace, I firmly believe; my...

The answers run the gammut, including "quirky books," "popular subjects...

A funny, engaging, moving, and insightful 17-minute talk by author...

he essential impulse in working is to allow what...

...

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost Some say the world...

Good grammar is sexy...

Want to enter the comma lottery? I just got exactly...

Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore?”...

“What is straight? A line can be straight, or a...

The Random House Publishing Group (my happy literary home!) just...

the true story of the flood If you’re looking for...

How sad that this wonderful book image, which I found...

Who knew Cape Cod had so many great bookstores and...

Growing up, I was never a big fan of dressing...

Today (horray!) is the publication date for My Bookstore: Writers...

Maybe it’s just that I’m waiting for copyedits on The...

"here never will be complete equality until women themselves help...

I could not be more thrilled to be sharing the...

I was desperate for something that was mine, that...

I’m in that wonderful place for a writer: between reviews...

Just got an email about Lit Camp, the Bay Area’s...

I was just about to tweet the E.B. White quote...

I pasted a late-process draft of The Wednesday Daughters into...

Charming suburban Chicago bookstore with smart booksellers and great events...

I like to have a Martini, two at the very...

You’re still here? Hey, why don’t you go read a...

My teenaged bookstore I have a sentimental attachment to The...

Debra Dean’s bestselling debut novel, The Madonnas of Leningrad was...

Today kicks off National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as...

Today is the first day of Banned Books Week, and...

I’d love to get lost in this very cool book...

I met Victoria Brown at the fabulous Christamore House Guild...

Brenda Rickman Vantrease and I stopped in to see Parnassus...

Does it get tastier than this? Well, maybe if there...

From the Harper Voyager Website: For the first time in...

I came across the very funny “How to Chat Up...

David Abrams’ debut novel, Fobbit, is one of the most...

Today’s friday fun comes from Seòras’ photostream on Fickr, which...

a book store with exceptional warmth and charm Kristina McMorris...

“If you can’t stand your own company alone in a...

an indie store on Harvard Square We’re headed to the...

A former indie bookseller, The Map of Lost Memories author...

And if so, what? I’m glad to see I’m not...

my son’s favorite hangout When I visited Cambridge, Massachusettes this...

This wonderful sheet is a collaborative art project done by...

My baby brother, who lives in Berlin, Germany most of...

This week’s guest, Seattle novelist Heather Barbieri, has published Snow...

Four years ago this month and just a couple weeks...

To borrow from the good Dr. S: Congratulations! Today is...

I came across this lovely bit in Nancy Pearl’s Book...

warm and cozy, with walls and tables filled with books...

Because so many people have asked me how to do...

How unlucky can a day be when it inspires words...

better than a winery tour, and at author events you...

An email from a reader this morning reminded me of...

a little bookstore with an amazing selection, and even more...

These tights singlehandedly inspired me to start a new occasional...

“Grocery Stories” Perhaps the only place more special than a...

Do you want to hear how it works from the...

I’m not generally a big fan of writing contests with...

I first connected with Sally Koslow when I was asked...

Joshua Henkin wanted to be a fiction writer when he...

One really stressful prospect for authors is that we will...

President Obama, in presenting the Medal of Freedom to Toni...

Last year I had the pleasure of hosting debut novelist...

Because I’m a book person who loves film (even though...

Of the many wonderful moments in National Poetry month, my...

Lynda Rutledge’s path to publishing Faith Bass Darling’s Last Garage Sale –...

Writing is a little bit like that. There's a lot...

where Anais Nin, Henry Miller, James Baldwin, and Ernest Hemingway...

Since April is National Poetry Month, I’ve been looking around...

How friendly are you, really? Do you have enough followers...

I met Carolina De Robertis at a book club mixer...

M.J. Rose – whom I’ve known since before my first novel...

I came across a delightful interview of Garrison Keillor today...

I read the most extraordinary poem yesterday, "what you'd find...

Randy Sue Meyers is an online writer-pal, and author of...

t's the dirty little secret none of us likes to...

Sara Gruen calls this week’s guest author, Alex George “a...

Dickens Quotes for Writers, on the Occasion of his 200th...

I came across a great Wall Street Journal piece on...

Sarah Pinneo celebrates the publication of her debut novel, Julia’s...

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest is open for submissions through...

Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize...

“A word after a word after a word is power.”...

If you are properly modest, you will never write at...

Years ago I was a finalist for the Barbara Kingsolver-founded...

...

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave...

Was it Baudelaire who said, “Always be a poet, even...

Which writing friends are you particularly thankful for this Thanksgiving?...

Uh-oh. The year’s “great books” lists have begun. Female authors...

“The main rule of the writer is never to pity...

Without meaning to disparage the great work some book reviewers...

“Good writing takes place at intersections, at what you might...

“The role of the writer is not to say what...

Several years ago now, my friend Margie McKinley from the...

I’ve written before about how much I hate photos of...

Downton Abbey is one of my three television weaknesses (along...

I’m delighted to be hosting Alma Katsu, whose debut novel...

The writing of a book and the writing of a...

Following up on a conversation we had in the Novelist...

I met today’s guest author, Maddie Dawson, on my favorite...

“I would advise any beginning writer to write the first...

The biggest market of readers these days seems to be...

I’ve often said writing a novel is like running a...

Every time I froze up in writing Don’t Kill the...

I would pay a small fortune for a sand-repellent laptop...

For anyone who, like me, is loving the new Google+...

Just finished a first draft of my new novel, and...

My first novel, The Language of Light was the first thing...

It’s a close call to say which was the more...

I spent an inspiring and entirely too short weekend gathering...

I spent a few days in Chicago last week for...

Like everyone else lately, I’ve been glued to the news...

As an author, I think I enjoy book festivals and...

I could not be more delighted: today I am hosting...

A little flurry of excitement over the weekend: the just-released...

Help Wanted, one Novelist… The more detailed want ad: Help...

Heads up, short story writers: The 2011 Flannery O’Connor Award...

I’m posting this in response to a first-time author post...

Books & Co. in Dayton, Ohio One of the nicest...

“I never minded reading to three people. I had plenty...

Since this month is National Poetry Month, I’ll be running...

Holy Moly!!! The Four Ms. Bradwells goes on sale today...

I’m not exactly monogamous in my writing tool relationships, but...

“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.” —...

The Four Ms. Bradwells is going into a second printing...

Just a quick post that will not begin to cover...

I just learned how to change the URL for my...

“Look, writing a novel is like paddling from Boston to...

Welcome to the SheWrites.com Blogger Ball Redux. This time we’ve...

“A person who publishes a book willfully appears before the...

I’m having a nice little Gaithersburg Book Festival run lately...

Thanks to my lovely editor, Caitlin Alexander, the fed ex...

finished book, novel, the four ms. bradwells, publishing...

Mary Mackey, a writer-pal of mine from a Bay Area...

At the risk of using a four letter word here...

One of the things I did this week on my...

The entry portal for the SheWrites.com Blogging about Books and...

I’m just thrilled this week to welcome Eleanor Brown, author...

What is happening is week six of pre-pub for The...

This week’s pre-publication taks: finalize press release materials and tour...

I’ve been a big fan of Caroline Leavitt‘s novels since...

It’s two months – or two months less a day...