Category Archives: learning the craft

The Learning Never Ends

In 2009, when I started writing fiction full-time, I expected I’d get that big fat publishing contract in 3, maybe 4 years tops. I planned to learn everything I could from the best teachers I could find. Most small businesses … Continue reading

Posted in continuous learning, learning the craft, Perseverance, persistence, Sharon Joss | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Return from the Land of Writers

I’m back from another excellent/exhausting/exhilarating week in Lincoln City, or as I like to think of it, the Land of Writers. I took an eight-day-long class on the business of writing, which, as it turns out, is a lot more … Continue reading

Posted in 2014, authors, Best Sellers, business, butt in chair, Dean Wesley Smith, don't give up, fiction, Fiction River, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, learning the craft, Lincoln City, living the dream, mentors, opportunity, Oregon, Sharon Joss, write every day; writers write, writers, writers workshop, writing business | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wow Factor: Dreams & Goals for the Long Haul

A writer I much admire, Dean Wesley Smith, wrote an inspirational blog recently about dreams and goals (you can read it here), and it got me thinking. He just finished a year of writing (and publishing as part of his … Continue reading

Posted in 2014, belief systems, books, business, Dean Wesley Smith, don't give up, Dreams, fun with writing, goals, great fiction, indie publishing, learning the craft, production schedule, published, resolution, Sharon Joss, the writing speaks for itself, write, write every day, write every day; writers write, writer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Feed the Muse

Every once in a while (and thankfully, it doesn’t happen often), I start feeling a little like a hamster in a cage– running forward as fast as I can, but not going anywhere. The last few weeks, I’ve been in … Continue reading

Posted in 2014, bad hair days, books, dogs, don't give up, emotions, inspiration, learning the craft, mentors, muse, Ray Bradbury, Sharon Joss | Tagged | Leave a comment

Half-fast Writer

I am not a fast writer.  I continually read about writers (all far more successful than I) who can write a novel in 16 days, or a month, or even a week. I am in awe of their capabilities. Last … Continue reading

Posted in ambition, fiction, I Write Like, inner critic, learning the craft, perceptions, persistence, speed writing, write, write every day, write every day; writers write, Writing, writing business, writing goals, writing speed | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Joy of Having Written

I finished editing the final six chapters on AURUM today.  I’m done.  Finished, Finito. This is my fourth completed novel.  The joy and lightness of spirit that comes with having written is a high I’ve now experienced four times, but … Continue reading

Posted in 2013, ambition, author, award-winning author, best seller, Best Sellers, butt in chair, celebrate, don't give up, editing, Favorite New Author, Joseph Campell, Larry Brooks, learning the craft, manuscript, more problems than the average bear, novel, novels, opening scene, prosperity, published, query, Research, revising, revisions, Robert McKee, Save the Cat, scene, science fiction, Sharon Joss, short story, speculative fiction, story structure, story worthy problem, write, write every day, writer, writers write, writing business | Leave a comment

Brainaerobics

I took a 2-day writing class this week;  Dave Farland’s Write That Novel workshop.  He’s an award-winning, NY Times best-selling author, and has written  more than 50 science fiction and fantasy books.  Not only that, but he’s taught writing at … Continue reading

Posted in award-winning author, Dave Farland, Dave Wolverton, good teacher, learning the craft, novel, NY Times, Research, Rune Lords, workshop, writing | Leave a comment