This weekend I was down in Portland attending a class for creating and honing pitches for screenplays and novels. A pitch is the short, kick-ass, bright and shiny description that you toss toward an agent or editor in the hope that they'll snatch it out of the air and shout, "Mine!!"

simonepdx and I have been working on our pitch for a while, so we had ( Read more... )

Sorta ( Read more... )

Yesterday was another round of edits and synopsis beatings with simonepdx. But! I am thrilled to say that In a Handful of Dust will soon be in the hands of a few stalwart souls who have agreed to read all 38 chapters quickly for us. Hopefully we'll have some feedback in week or so, then we can do some final smooshings with the MS before we try to sell ( Read more... )

If you're me, a four day weekend, especially Independence Day weekend, is spent around the house. I have a dog who freaks out over all the firecrackers set off in our neighborhood, and so going anywhere is right out. Besides, I loathe the crowds. Truly.

( Teh Haps )

I receive several e-mags and blog feeds, many from writers, artists, scientists and other highly creative types. This one is about writing, but it could be for any creative endeavor that you work at on a regular basis. Filched from Author e-mag, by Bill Kenower, Editor-in-Chief. His daily blog is at Read more... )

This is an oldie but goodie ( Read more... )

N. K. Jemisin, the author of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, which I just finished (and really enjoyed), posted to her blog about finding out her book was shelved in the African American Section of a reader's local library ( Read more... )

Interesting blog article, This Is Your Brain On Movies, Maybe. It's good for lit as well as film: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/?p=300Read more... )

I have a powerful desire to be working on the book now, rather than doing my daytime job. But it's that time, and there's work-work to be done, so I'm trying to shove my brain over into that modality. It's resisting mightily.

( Media Format Matters )

First, it's pretty early in the morning, especially for a weekend, and I haven't had any of the hot brown beverages that usually start my day. This means you might be in for a more ramble-y ramble than usual.

Second, this is about plot, role-play and the essence of story. Your mileage may vary.

( What It Is )