Recently I heard someone say they wrote a book in seven days, thanks to AI. I wouldn't say they wrote a book. I'd say they wrote a draft. As we navigate the brave new worlds before us, one question I'm asking me and my process is, What's the right amount of time for my book … [Read more...] about How to Bake a Book: a 10-year Recipe
Writing Tips
5 Questions to Ask Your Author Friend on Sub
"I'm about to go on sub," I used to say to friends. "What's that?" said my friends. "It means my agent is submitting my manuscript to editors." "Oh!" "Or you could say, my manuscript is on submission to editors." "Ah!" Pause. "So good luck! How long does … [Read more...] about 5 Questions to Ask Your Author Friend on Sub
Grammar PSA: The Hawks Nest
Poor apostrophes; they get abused all the time. I get so mad about it, I actually dreamed up a teen girl/grammar nerd who runs around town defacing poorly-punctuated campaign signs. (My deepest, darkest desire is to do what she does.) RJ Haynes will have none of misplaced … [Read more...] about Grammar PSA: The Hawks Nest
Creativity in the Time of Corona
There comes a time in your life where you need to overthrow What Is and live in the What If full time, and not just because a virus is raging. Right before Covid-19 struck, I requested personal leave at my job of 15 years. One reason was graduate school: in January, I'd just … [Read more...] about Creativity in the Time of Corona
On Querying Agents: I’ll Tell You What’s Frustrating
This is dedicated to all my writer pals currently in the querying trenches. I may feel a long ways away from a long querying journey, but I still remember the struggles, and I won't ever forget what it's like dead center of that marathon run to find an agent. (I've found … [Read more...] about On Querying Agents: I’ll Tell You What’s Frustrating
Revision Is Like a Cat
I don't want you to stress about revision. I don't want you to because I already do, and it's way too much for anyone's good. You can come up with all the formulas and processes and formalities you like (and trust me, I've got a pile of Lyn's Rules for Revision, and … [Read more...] about Revision Is Like a Cat