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Sorry, I know it's been a while. Life has been seriously getting in the way. I hope to start things up again soon. In the meantime, the newest edition of Allegory Magazine has launched. It contains my article: Putting on Your Virtual Game Face. It's about internet etiquette as it relates to publishing and outlines the types of letters an author ( Read more... ) -
FROM THE HANDYMAN: Pacing
Cut the Bull - Energy Boosters for Writing
By Danielle Ackley-McPhail
You know, sometimes we just don’t know when to stop. No. It’s true, even I’m guilty (I know. Shocker.) We get so caught up in the language and discovery of these worlds in our head that we just pile on the detail. We get so caught up in the creativity that we have to build the ( Read more... ) -
NEW REVIEW
Nice way to wake up on a yucky day. Received a new review today for the Literary Handyman:
http://yougottaread.com/the-literary-handyman/
"Mrs. Ackley-McPhail is funny and approaches her audience with a light heartedness that is much needed in a hobby/career that can be very depressing at times." 4 Stars, Janelle, You Gotta Read -
HANDYMAN'S HELPER - Jeanne Cavelos - Revisions
GAINING DISTANCE TO REVISE
by Jeanne Cavelos
(c) 2012
You don't care about my protagonist? You don't find my plot to be a page-turning masterwork of suspense? You think my sentences are awkward and my point of view inconsistent? Writers are often quite surprised by the feedback they receive on manuscripts. They are so close to the work they've ( Read more... ) -
Sorry...
I didn't make the progress I needed to. I'm in the final stretch on the novel. I promise, I'll be back very soon.
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Gone Playing
Sorry...I'm on vacation. Check back next week and I promise to have something brand-spanking new. -
FROM THE HANDYMAN: LITERARY DETAILING
I know, I know...I'm late. Sorry, between the novel and Shevacon--not to mention being sick--my schedule is all messed up.
Anyway, here is an article from a while back, hope you enjoy.
Literary Detailing
By Danielle Ackley-McPhail
You know, sometimes we just don’t know when to stop. No. It’s true, even I’m guilty (I know. Shocker.) We get so caught up ( Read more... ) -
FROM THE HANDYMAN: Word Economy
Sorry, I'm still not done the novel, but here is one of my more popular articles from my writers guide, The Literary Handyman. I have about 20,000 words to go on Today's Promise. Here's hoping they go quickly!
Enjoy!
Danielle
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Spend Your Words Wisely
(Originally published in the column If We’d Words Enough and Time, www. ( Read more... ) -
FROM THE HANDYMAN - Another Exercise - Writing To The Five Senses
Okay, I am more than hip deep in a novel that has to be done in a month, so this week is another writing exercise.
Sensory data is vital in creating a living space in your readers' minds. Not just key points relevent to the plot, but also background details that mark every experience we have. With that in mind, here is an exercise to help you focus ( Read more... ) -
FROM THE HANDYMAN: Observation
Get Your Nose Out of the Book!
by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
This one is completely on the fly, folks...(That's what happens when you have a crazy-ass novel deadline....sorry).
Confused by my title? Yeah...happens sometimes, but you know, it generally makes sense in the end, so hold on and let's see where we go!
So, as writers a big part of our stock in ( Read more... )