Comments for MLV Writes

Comment on Writer’s Block? Maybe it’s “Writer’s Avoidance” Behavior by Monica Valentinelli

Monica Valentinelli — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:32:23 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to comment about your experiences. I find the same thing to be true on my end as well, though admittedly I’m trying to get the non-fiction work done prior to the fiction.

Comment on Writer’s Block? Maybe it’s “Writer’s Avoidance” Behavior by Jay Swartzfeger

Jay Swartzfeger — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:08:37 +0000

The last month or so I’ve been working double shifts and I’ve never been more productive. I’ve heard this from writers who are also parents — kids are a cure for writer’s block. You simply don’t have the luxury of time to muse about your apparent lack of ability to get things done. You just do it.

Comment on Writer’s Block? Maybe it’s “Writer’s Avoidance” Behavior by Ann Marie

Ann Marie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:06:48 +0000

One big turning point for me was that beyond the classes, exercises, and how-tos, how I figured out what worked for me and what I had trouble with was by writing–I couldn’t just read a lot about creating characters, for example, but I had to put pen to paper and create a bunch of characters. The writing may not appear in any manuscript, but I advance in my ability to get what’s in my brain on paper in some form.

Comment on What Other Writers Can Learn from Romance Authors by Stephanie Draven

Stephanie Draven — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:18:35 +0000

I started out as a dark fantasy and historical writer–two genres I am still writing–but my first sale was to Harlequin. Surprise! You’re a romance writer!

I had to learn everything I could about the genre, and I confess to being totally bowled over by the professionalism of romance writers. The difference between an RWA convention and a Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention is startling.

I find that romance writers are much more serious about the business of writing; I have learned more about writing and about publishing in my one year as a romance author than in all the years before.

Comment on What Other Writers Can Learn from Romance Authors by Ann Marie

Ann Marie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:39:45 +0000

However light or dark the stories particular authors write, I’ve found RWA groups to be incredibly friendly and generous places. It’s so nice to pursue this craft in the company of can-do people.

Comment on Writing and Conventions by Monica Valentinelli

Monica Valentinelli — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:18:27 +0000

@Tim – Pretty much anything where I have to “prepare” something affects my ability to get back into the groove because I’m focusing on that presentation. That includes gaming demos, workshops, cons, etc.

Comment on Writing and Conventions by Tim Jensen

Tim Jensen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:45:01 +0000

Can you name any conventions in particular that have this effect? Is there a difference for you between different kinds of conventions (writing workshops, gaming conventions, film festivals etc)?

Comment on On Writing a Historically-Accurate Paranormal Short Story by Monica Valentinelli

Monica Valentinelli — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:41:07 +0000

Thanks for your support. I’m really excited about this product, because it’s going to have illustrations and other goodies, too!

Comment on On Writing a Historically-Accurate Paranormal Short Story by Alex B.

Alex B. — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:57:45 +0000

I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, any kind really. Horror, alternate history, so on. I’m glad to see that you’ve put in the work to give it the authentic feel. Kudos!

Comment on This Is Not Another Amazon Post by Rob Donoghue

Rob Donoghue — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:20:13 +0000

The rub is that when you speak of publishing, you speak of a business that’s so crazily byzantine that even if you don’t want total transparency, it would certainly benefit from a little more daylight (especially since what is “true” changes abruptly as you move from point to point within the trade, even within the same part of it).

The alternative is that things like the “Printing is 1% of the cost” get thrown out there and we get the waters muddled by bad data.

Put another way, look at how people responded: how could more information make people _more_ likely to jump to conclusions? The nerdragey need to pick a side and fight it out can kick in equally well in profound ignorance or profound knowledge.

-Rob D.