Writer Unboxed

You might live in lovely North Carolina or California, or reside in some picturesque beach house in Hawaii or New Zealand, but we WU mamas (Kath and Therese) live in dreary upstate New York. And it’s been cold here. And rainy. And snowy. And cold. Did we mention cold? Where in this world, exactly, does March goes out like a lamb? Because we’d like to find that lamb and snarf its wool to make a new coat. Still, because we’re true troopers, we’ve donned our best rain gear and gathered some good linkies for you. (Sneeze.) Here ya go:

Nathan Bransford’s blend of agently wisdom and fun pokes at pop culture (yo, Tyra!) make him a daily must read for us. Check out his post on awkward dialogue if thou dost not want to appear dimly lit in thoust skullest. While you’re there, chime in on his latest if you have an opinion about creative writing schools.

Agent Rachel Vater posted on a cool new contest (Fangs Fur Fey). Send in your hook, and if it’s dubbed The Best, Vater will critique your manuscript’s first 50 pages plus synopsis. Window for submissions runs from April 13th through the 15th. Get all the details HERE.

Speaking of contests…

…children’s writers should note that ING Direct is sponsoring a contest for the best short children’s story to “help teach young children about the importance of having healthy financial habits.” Winner receives $1000 and will see their story published. Learn more HERE.

Ray had second thoughts this week over his latest Flogometer re-entry at Flogging the Quill. (Ray always offers golden nuggets. Check his Flogometer archives HERE.)

Quantum’s Eric decided to study television writing in the hopes of adding a few writerly tricks to his bag. He’s promised to share his findings with us after his research is complete. He also just posted a bunch of new linkies himself (yes, it is a little like looking into a fun house mirror isn’t it? More linkies lead to more linkies lead to more…), including this one pointing to screenwriter Blake Snyder’s website. Some of you might remember Therese loving Snyder for saving her cat. (Read, relish and remember HERE.)

Tess Gerritsen and Jason Pinter blogged about how your book’s release should be best timed in relation to the market. Tess also had an inspiring post recently about second drafts - well worth a read.

Pop Candy posted a chatter-view with writer Jodi Picoult. Did you know the best-selling novelist has picked up her pencil for DC Comics? Can you guess which super hero’s story she’s writing? (Pictorial clue at left.)

WOW! Women on Writing interviewed the multi-talented Debbie Ridpath Ohi for their April issue. If you haven’t checked out Ohi’s blog yet, you really should; it’s crammed full of her comics and thoughts on writing and blogging and writing and blogging… Always entertaining.

Bryan Catherman’s The Hopeless Writer blog, which provides an enlightening mesh of political and writing-related bits, was dubbed one of the “5 Blogs That Make Me Think” by The Struggling Writer. Catherman names his own list of thinking blogs and goes one better, naming WU as one of his “5 Blogs That Keep Me Entertained.” Grazie, Bryan!

The Leaky Cauldron, a must for all Harry Potter fanatics, posts an interview with Michael Goldenberg, the screenplay writer for the upcoming HP film Order of the Phoenix. Fascinating!

Last but not least, did you know April is National Poetry Month? ‘Tis. See? So go on now and write a poem in your Moleskine or read a few good ones. Therese particularly likes Unwise Purchases by George Bilgere; read it HERE.

Write on, all! (And be sure to come back tomorrow for the final part of our interview with fantasy author and RITA-award nominee Jeri Smith-Ready.)

Photo courtesy BigFoto.com.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS