revision « Natasha Alexander

to make a long story short...

I obviously haven’t been in blog-land much lately. I’ve been editing my WIP and frankly, if I follow much more of the (good) writing advice/models I’ve been reading lately, there won’t be much of the damn thing left for anyone else to read.

Hint Fiction (props to Merrilee Faber for the heads-up on [Continue reading]

Close to it

One of the beach cottage rental places in town has a sign that reads “There’s not much here, but what there is – you’re close to it.” The highlight of New Year’s Eve is a giant lighted beach ball being lowered from a fire truck ladder onto the beach, followed by some fireworks.

Ringing in [Continue reading]

The Writer-Editor Relationship

I went to a great panel discussion this past week as part of my local university’s annual Writers Week. It featured Jay Varner, a Creative Writing MFA graduate here who just published his memoir, Nothing Left to Burn, and Jay’s editor, Chuck Adams at Algonquin Books. Adams also edited Sara Gruen’s Like Water [Continue reading]

Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules!

I’ve always loved Kim Carnes’ voice and this song — even though this isn’t the best version of it, it’s the only one I could find on YouTube. And, uh, Kim is 65 years old here and looks, IMHO, absolutely fabulous, so there’s something to be said for breaking the rules.

Which brings me to [Continue reading]

Authentic details make writing authentic

I finished yesterday’s post, published it and looked at it again — something felt Not. Quite. Right. I did a little research, and sure enough, cardinals eat nuts and seeds, NOT bugs. Shoulda known that from my bird feeder.

So I edited Ms. C’s invitation from “Let’s go eat some BUGS” to “Let’s go eat [Continue reading]

So many obsessions, so little time...

I admit it: I’ve been a slacker lately. I’ve diddled and dawdled away my writing time and not had much to show for the last month or so. I’ve read alot, and that’s good, but my writing production has been pretty tiny.

But no more. Sunday A. and I were sitting at [Continue reading]

The Tao of Dog Poop -- plus a yummy cookie recipe (I know, they really should be separate posts)

I don’t have anything brilliant to say this morning (for a change) and so I thought I’d share one of my favorite recipes with you — even though it’s NOT what I’m eating right now. Right now I’m eating an apple/cranberry/whole wheat/oat scone fresh out of the oven. Yum. Maybe I’ll write [Continue reading]

Crash Revision Course

I got an email from Holly Lisle today with information about a crash revision mini-workshop she is offering for FIVE BUCKS from March 28 – April 1 through SavvyAuthors.com.

SO….I signed up for it. What’s to lose? Actually, SavvyAuthors looks like it has some interesting courses/workshops, and they’re reasonably priced as well.

See you there?