Sorry I’m late to post today, but my dog Scotch has been sick, so we had to go to the vet. Nothing like taking a sick dog out in the pouring rain to start the day (poor little guy is a spaniel, yet he hates the water–he will walk around puddles and hates getting bathed–so it was doubly awful for him). Anyway, we got some meds, and it’s back to writing. Well, writing my novel. For the blog, you get links to some interesting writing about writing.
First, you may have seen my recent review of SO GOOD THEY CAN’T IGNORE YOU. In it, author Cal Newport stresses the importance of deliberate practice. So, how can a budding writer use deliberate practice to improve their craft? Well, here are part 1 and part 2 of a three-part series by Daphne Gray-Grant that tells you exactly that.
Second, how can you improve your work? Well, learn what editors are looking for. Are you familiar with John Joseph Adams (Twitter)? John Joseph Adams edits Lightspeed and Nightmare magazines, as well as several anthologies (for which he has been nominated for major awards on multiple occasions). Last night, John Joseph Adams did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit. This was his second (I believe). The first one can be found here. In both of them, John Joseph Adams gives great advice on improving your writing and how writers can make it out of the slush pile.
Alright, that’s enough for now. Go read, then back to writing. See you tomorrow.