Yes, you should always carefully read over the information on the contests you enter. Check out all the details before submitting, and check...
When do you write? Even though I'm a morning person, I can't bring myself to write before 4PM, so I use that time to do the less fun parts of the...
Submitting a stand alone excerpt is an excellent idea, and writing contests shouldn't claim any rights for your submission (exceptions apply and...
I have to disagree with ManhattanMss concerning the virtue of your original letter, but my point concerning brevity may not have come across...
Chance or destiny is often the start of a good plot, but rarely the resolution. The trick is to keep full control of the story out of the hands...
As far as unlikable characters go, I think Discworld is the place. With characters like Rincewind, Maestrum Ridcully, Patrician Vetinari, and...
An editor will discard anything if the first paragraph doesn't grab hold. The beginning of your novel, and your query letter should be equally...
Editing your work is the largest part of the writing process. Simply drafting it is the easy part. Most editors at publishing houses won't even...
Re: Cognito Subject: The semicolon. The semicolon has a very specific and well regulated purpose in all written work; it links two independant...
There are exceptions to every generalization.
You're short on a period for the first clause as it is unrelated to the next, and a semicolon to pair the next two independent clauses that lack a...
Marina: Actually, this is usually the part where someone yells 'jihad!' and people start killing each other. Thank god we're writers. We'll...
Amen, amen and amen. Playing the numbers game by keeping a high volume in circulation will eventually get you published, but skill will make your...
Separate names with a comma.
