I have compiled a sort of a little help-guide for myself which I read every day before diving into writing. Then I thought, this would be cool to share with you, in case you were looking for a list like that. Or maybe you have a list of your own and could share it with me. I have pulled this from a ton of books I had read, so ask me questions if some of the terms sound unfamiliar. Depending on where you are in your writing career, you will either laugh at this (been there, done that) or feel like your brain is starting to smoke (I tried explaining this today to two non-writers who finally begged me to stop—it was like math, like programming, too complicated).
Read MoreSubmitting your writing to publications and GETTING PUBLISHED
"You should write a reportage," my writing mentor said. "When you go to Russia, talk to people. Ask them what they think about Trump. Everyone wants to know." So I did. And it resulted in my story getting published on Vox under the title of "My conversations with Russians about Donald Trump."
Many of you have asked me to write about the submission process: "How did you do it? How did you pitch this? How did you make it happen?"
Read MoreThe silence of immigrant women
He said he was a cowboy. He assured me that he listened to what ladies told him, because ladies were smarter than him. Always. He looked about 58, and he sat on the table in the post office because his hip needed to be replaced and he could barely walk. He told the whole post office about it. He was in front of me in line. I told him to keep sitting there until it was his turn, and that I'd wait for him to get up and get to the clerk. He appreciated that. He said that was unusually kind. Then he continued talking loudly, making the entire line listen to his hip problems, and when his time came up to go to the counter, I waited for him to make his way, to the service clerk whom I know, as I’ve shipped many of my books before from this office. I’ll call her Mary.
Read MoreHow to develop a freelancing career with the power of the internet
Maximilian wrote: "I've read many of your blog posts with great interest and do admire your discipline and passion for the craft. I especially am interested in how you find clients for various writing projects. It's clear to me that people who call themselves writers are as abundant as sand on a beach. It's hard to stand out. This year I really want to earn some coin with my writing, not necessarily with my as-yet unfinished novel, but with helping others find the right words. You mentioned that you've been hired as a ghostwriter before...you have shown time and again that you can weather any storm, or at least you're good at making others believe that. I admire what you've accomplished. I would appreciate some advice, any advice, as to how I can develop a freelancing career with the power of the internet."
Read More8 things I learned from reading The Silence of the Lambs
Ken Wallo asked me to write a post on what I have learned from reading The Silence of the Lambs. There are a ton of things, and I'll try to summarize them all here, but I didn't just learn them from reading The Silence of the Lambs, but also from reading The Story Grid that dissects it in detail (I highly recommend you read it and see for yourself). Let's get this party started.
1. Introduce all your main characters in the first chapter.
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