If you've completed a novel, New York Writers Workshop has a new class
Have you written a novel? Are you thinking about 'next steps'? Today there are more publishing paths than ever--from traditional deals to becoming your own independent publisher.
This fall, Jenny Milchman will be teaching a class for New York Writers Workshop that explores the whole range of publishing options. You will learn what makes a novel ready for publication, and how to ensure that yours is truly ready. A close knit atmosphere of writerly support is a hallmark of NYWW courses.
After 11 years of trying to break in, Jenny recently received an offer on her debut novel. It will be coming out from Ballantine/Random House in early 2013. The experiences she's had along the way will inform this class, as will special guest author appearances by people who have self-published, been traditionally published, and some who have done both.
Please follow this link to learn more http://www.jccmanhattan.org/cat-content.aspx?catID=2917&progID=24210#/ELWPPR00F2 and feel free to email me with any questions.
This class will assist your novel find its best path to publication!
I've taken a class from the NYWW, and it was instrumental in moving me forward in my writing career. It will be worthwhile, I'm sure.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
My Car
The car in the blog header is a 1946 MG TC, and the picture was taken the day I got it. It was a gift from my wife on our wedding anniversary, and she remains a part of our family to this day.
We were celebrating our anniversary with our two daughters. After a special dinner, my wife wanted to drive to a nearby picnic spot on the Gulf to have dessert. So we piled into the family car with our two daughters. About half way there, our oldest daughter claimed she needed a bathroom break. So we pulled into a nearby fast food chain.
As it happened, the local antique car club was holding their weekly car show. We parked, and I got out to admire the cars. All the cars were beautiful, but the one English beauty stood out among her American cousins. As we waited for our daughter, we wandered through the parking lot, admiring the cars.
The club had a DJ playing music from the fifties and sixties. The music stopped and the MC announced, "It's time to announce the car of the month award."
I didn't pay much attention, just kept wandering through the show. By this time, our oldest daughter had joined us. The MC continued, "The car of the month is the 1946 MG TC."
My wife asked, "Which one is the MG?"
"It's the white one over there," I said.
The MC continued, "The owner of the car is Tom Gill."
I was certain I had imagined it. I didn't have a car in the show. There was no way I could win an award without even entering. There must be some other Tom Gill here.
The MC called out once more, "Will Tom Gill please come up and receive his prize."
My wife nudged my side. "It's you," she whispered.
Dazed, I slowly walked up to the MC, wondering where the hidden cameras were placed. It had to be some sort of joke. The MC handed me a ribbon with a medal and my bride, beaming with pride and pleasure, said, "It's your anniversary present."
The gift was a total surprise. My wife bought the car and had arranged to make it road worthy with a local MG specialist. The presentation was arranged with the car club, and everyone there was in on it except me.
Well, we promptly named her Annie, which is short for Anniversary, and gave her a prize location in our garage. Years later, I still have a hard time believing it really happened. We've enjoyed several trips in her, and have met some wonderful people through her. The car turns heads every where we go.
Best of all, every novel I write has, or will have, a vintage MG "T-Type" featured in at least one scene. That's why I chose that photo to be the introduction to my blog.
We were celebrating our anniversary with our two daughters. After a special dinner, my wife wanted to drive to a nearby picnic spot on the Gulf to have dessert. So we piled into the family car with our two daughters. About half way there, our oldest daughter claimed she needed a bathroom break. So we pulled into a nearby fast food chain.
As it happened, the local antique car club was holding their weekly car show. We parked, and I got out to admire the cars. All the cars were beautiful, but the one English beauty stood out among her American cousins. As we waited for our daughter, we wandered through the parking lot, admiring the cars.
The club had a DJ playing music from the fifties and sixties. The music stopped and the MC announced, "It's time to announce the car of the month award."
I didn't pay much attention, just kept wandering through the show. By this time, our oldest daughter had joined us. The MC continued, "The car of the month is the 1946 MG TC."
My wife asked, "Which one is the MG?"
"It's the white one over there," I said.
The MC continued, "The owner of the car is Tom Gill."
I was certain I had imagined it. I didn't have a car in the show. There was no way I could win an award without even entering. There must be some other Tom Gill here.
The MC called out once more, "Will Tom Gill please come up and receive his prize."
My wife nudged my side. "It's you," she whispered.
Dazed, I slowly walked up to the MC, wondering where the hidden cameras were placed. It had to be some sort of joke. The MC handed me a ribbon with a medal and my bride, beaming with pride and pleasure, said, "It's your anniversary present."
The gift was a total surprise. My wife bought the car and had arranged to make it road worthy with a local MG specialist. The presentation was arranged with the car club, and everyone there was in on it except me.
Well, we promptly named her Annie, which is short for Anniversary, and gave her a prize location in our garage. Years later, I still have a hard time believing it really happened. We've enjoyed several trips in her, and have met some wonderful people through her. The car turns heads every where we go.
Best of all, every novel I write has, or will have, a vintage MG "T-Type" featured in at least one scene. That's why I chose that photo to be the introduction to my blog.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Shaken: Stories for Japan
Timothy Hallinan has edited an ebook anthology of twenty top authors called SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN. The anthology is now available on Amazon, and all the proceeds go to Japan's earthquake relief efforts.
The anthology is not only a worthwhile literary achievement, it is a remarkable humanitarian effort as well. Timothy and his team of authors worked hard to create this edition, and I applaud their contribution. Let's make their work worthwhile by purchasing the ebook.
The anthology is not only a worthwhile literary achievement, it is a remarkable humanitarian effort as well. Timothy and his team of authors worked hard to create this edition, and I applaud their contribution. Let's make their work worthwhile by purchasing the ebook.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN
Timothy Hallinan has just completed "an e-book collection of original short stories by 20 terrific writers". Look for it at your favorite e-book store. Knowing Tim's writing, this will be a terrific anthology. And all proceeds from the sale of the book go to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Memorial Day
Memorial day is coming up. It's a day set aside to remember those who lost their lives defending ours. I wrote this in honor of the men and women who did not return, knowing that I, too, was once a soldier.
Memorial Day
Please think of me when autumn frost,
Turns leaf to russet gold.
When sheep file down from pasture high,
To keep in winter fold.
When bugles blew and drums of war,
In rhythm deep and slow,
Sent forth their call across the land,
To soldiering I did go.
Remember me when pale moon lights
Our valley cloaked in snow.
When nestled snug in woolen shawl,
Near firelight’s ruddy glow.
The poppies red of Flander’s field,
Bloom high in Afghan dale.
With silent tears they bow their heads,
And weep in hidden vale.
Forget me not when spring winds blow,
Place flowers near my name.
Please keep me locked inside your heart,
And love me all the same.
The guns report their deep respect,
The bugles solemn blow,
In grieving for the fallen ones,
Who did to soldiering go.
Please think of me when summer sun
Lies gentle on your shoulder.
Forgive me for the love unmade,
God rest the fallen soldier.
Memorial Day
Please think of me when autumn frost,
Turns leaf to russet gold.
When sheep file down from pasture high,
To keep in winter fold.
When bugles blew and drums of war,
In rhythm deep and slow,
Sent forth their call across the land,
To soldiering I did go.
Remember me when pale moon lights
Our valley cloaked in snow.
When nestled snug in woolen shawl,
Near firelight’s ruddy glow.
The poppies red of Flander’s field,
Bloom high in Afghan dale.
With silent tears they bow their heads,
And weep in hidden vale.
Forget me not when spring winds blow,
Place flowers near my name.
Please keep me locked inside your heart,
And love me all the same.
The guns report their deep respect,
The bugles solemn blow,
In grieving for the fallen ones,
Who did to soldiering go.
Please think of me when summer sun
Lies gentle on your shoulder.
Forgive me for the love unmade,
God rest the fallen soldier.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Inciting Incident
An earlier post discussed "Where does your book begin?" Not your story, your book. This post will delve a little deeper into the topic.
The question has been asked in several different ways, like "Where does the story engine kick in?" Or, "What makes the main character get up off his ass and do something?"
The Inciting Incident. The turning of the key that starts the story engine running.
What is it, and where does it occur?
Roughly put, the Inciting Incident is the singular event that defines the problem facing your Main Character. It should happen pretty early in the story, or the reader will get bored and go on to the next book on the shelf.
In DOG ISLAND, the downhearted MC is sitting on the beach in front of his house moping. The why of this isn't clear, and who he is isn't clear either. But he sits there, alone, depressed and moping until a boat, driven by a dead man, lands ashore at his feet.
That defines the problem. The boat landing is exciting in itself, and becomes the catalyst for all subsequent action. Up to that point, everything is backstory. Everything that happens afterward is DOG ISLAND, which is a great place to get away from it all until it all comes after you.
In Tim Hallinen's A NAIL THROUGH THE HEART, a man is digging in the mud and finds a safe. He is digging on behalf of another man, who watches from a distance. The digger is told not to look in the safe, but he does. That decision is the Inciting Incident, and sets the action in motion.
Tell me, what is your favorite Inciting Incident? It could be from a book, a movie, or a play. Would love to hear from you.
The question has been asked in several different ways, like "Where does the story engine kick in?" Or, "What makes the main character get up off his ass and do something?"
The Inciting Incident. The turning of the key that starts the story engine running.
What is it, and where does it occur?
Roughly put, the Inciting Incident is the singular event that defines the problem facing your Main Character. It should happen pretty early in the story, or the reader will get bored and go on to the next book on the shelf.
In DOG ISLAND, the downhearted MC is sitting on the beach in front of his house moping. The why of this isn't clear, and who he is isn't clear either. But he sits there, alone, depressed and moping until a boat, driven by a dead man, lands ashore at his feet.
That defines the problem. The boat landing is exciting in itself, and becomes the catalyst for all subsequent action. Up to that point, everything is backstory. Everything that happens afterward is DOG ISLAND, which is a great place to get away from it all until it all comes after you.
In Tim Hallinen's A NAIL THROUGH THE HEART, a man is digging in the mud and finds a safe. He is digging on behalf of another man, who watches from a distance. The digger is told not to look in the safe, but he does. That decision is the Inciting Incident, and sets the action in motion.
Tell me, what is your favorite Inciting Incident? It could be from a book, a movie, or a play. Would love to hear from you.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Dog's Life - Part 2
I must say that truly the only way to experience Beverly Hills is with a dog like Rocket! He was the magic key to the city. Last time we experienced the smell of street urine and the sound of grocery carts scooting along the asphalt in the heart of downtown. For contrast, on this trip we would smell the over-perfumed, plastic girls and hear the sound of diamonds clinking in Beverly Hills.
Here he is in front of this modern art piece.
Looking for a Pretty Woman, he strolled along Rodeo Drive
He took BH by storm. People in tour buses waved as they passed by. Paparazzi with clicking cameras followed his every move. Don't be too surprised if you see his picture featured in every supermarket tabloid.
Seriously, as we passed by all the people on the street we could hear them talk about Rocket in various languages. "Regardez, le chien," or "Mida! El perro!". Several children stopped to pet him. All the Beverly Hills women with little puffball dogs opened their arms to Rocket and me for conversation. "Oh how much does your Bichon weigh?", "Oh, what a cute dog!", and "Please do join Muffie and me on the verandah for some cucumber sandwiches!" (Um, okay, perhaps that last one was a slight exaggeration.)
Rocket went to Beverly Hills
at Jack & Jill's
to fetch a drink of water.
He sat down
and lost his frown
as the water came soon after.
Rocket had to join in the performance art scene on Canon Drive. Afterwards we headed back through the residential streets and he sniffed every tree and stone that had a story to tell.
Back at his hotel, the front desk girls all greeted Rocket by name. He went up on two paws and did his Snoopy dance. The front desk girls squealed with delight. He sure knows how to work a room! Now he is passed out under the table and dreaming about his next luxury destination.
Here he is in front of this modern art piece.
Looking for a Pretty Woman, he strolled along Rodeo Drive
He took BH by storm. People in tour buses waved as they passed by. Paparazzi with clicking cameras followed his every move. Don't be too surprised if you see his picture featured in every supermarket tabloid.
Seriously, as we passed by all the people on the street we could hear them talk about Rocket in various languages. "Regardez, le chien," or "Mida! El perro!". Several children stopped to pet him. All the Beverly Hills women with little puffball dogs opened their arms to Rocket and me for conversation. "Oh how much does your Bichon weigh?", "Oh, what a cute dog!", and "Please do join Muffie and me on the verandah for some cucumber sandwiches!" (Um, okay, perhaps that last one was a slight exaggeration.)
Rocket went to Beverly Hills
at Jack & Jill's
to fetch a drink of water.
He sat down
and lost his frown
as the water came soon after.
Rocket had to join in the performance art scene on Canon Drive. Afterwards we headed back through the residential streets and he sniffed every tree and stone that had a story to tell.
Back at his hotel, the front desk girls all greeted Rocket by name. He went up on two paws and did his Snoopy dance. The front desk girls squealed with delight. He sure knows how to work a room! Now he is passed out under the table and dreaming about his next luxury destination.
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