Why Writers Write

Writers write for many reasons, but those who do it because they’re inspired or hear voices in their heads that compel them to write may resonate to this memorable quote by Anais Nin: “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” —Anais Nin

Write to Conquer Reality

Practical advice for writers who are brought down sometimes by their own sensitivity, offered by legendary sci-fi author Ray Bradbury: “You must stay drunk of writing so reality cannot destroy you.” —Ray Bradbury

My Book Hit Number 2!

My writing handbook, Elements of Style 2017, hit #2 this morning on Amazon’s bestseller list for Writing/Editing books. So close to that coveted #1 spot, but hey, I’m thrilled being anywhere in the Top Ten!!! 😀 https://amzn.to/2iOXETM

Writers Must Read!

Great advice to good writers who want to become great writers from William Faulkner: “Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it…Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.” —William Faulkner

The Unread Story

Inspiring advice to aspiring writers from a master storyteller and one of my favorite sci-fi authors from yesteryear: “The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it makes it live: a live thing, a story.” —Ursula K. Le Guin

The Perils of Vanity Publishing

Recently, I was chatting with a new friend on Twitter who got “stuffed” by the same publisher that my dear friend Angelique got tangled up with a year ago. Their stories are the same. The publisher’s name doesn’t matter …it’s a vanity publisher, and they all work the same: you pay a lot of money … The Perils of Vanity Publishing

Book Readers Are Awesome!

Book readers are awesome people! They give writers a reason to live and dream. Without readers, writers are nothing. “I just saw a person reading my favorite book…It’s like a book recommending a person.”

Secret to Writing a Bestseller

Want to know the secret of writing a bestseller? Okay, listen up…great advice! “You write. You stop dreaming of writing. You stop talking about writing. Stop wishing you were writing. And you write.”

No Tears, No Surprises

A few words of writing inspiration from the scenic Central Coast of California as the first evening that feels like fall settles in. The immortal Robert Frost reminds us: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” —Robert Frost

The Desire to Create

If you’re one of the countless writers who wonder why you keep writing, and you worry that no one will ever buy or read what you write, just remember: You are doing what every writer must do: WRITE and CREATE. “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.”