Tag: women writers
Confessions of a Book Buzz Builder
When I first signed with my agent to represent my memoir, she reviewed my book proposal. I’d included this tidbit: “as a former book publicist of ten years at several major publishing houses, including Random House, Simon & Schuster and Doubleday, I have the skills to promote my book extensively.” She scribbled in the margin, […]
Born in China, Writing in English
When I told my friends in China that I wrote two novels about Empress Wu, their favorite empress, the first thing they asked was, “Is it in Chinese?” It’s a legitimate question, I understand, since I was born and grew up in China. I went to school in China, too, and learned the basics of […]
Lies and Other Acts of Love: An Interview with Kristy Woodson Harvey
Kristy Woodson Harvey’s, Lies and Other Acts of Love , calls on one of the oldest questions: what would you do for love? What would you do to find love? Or keep love? Or to protect those you love? The three generations of White family women each find their own answers while testing the bonds […]
Reality Bits: Fact in Family Fiction
One week after my debut novel was published, one of my father’s cousins called me. I hadn’t spoken to her for almost a decade, but she had seen my book in the new fiction section of her local bookstore. We talked for a while, and she asked whether the story was about some of our […]
From Journalist to Novelist
I’m often asked how my real-life experience as a journalist influenced my career as a writer. Though I didn’t know it at the time, my work as a reporter and anchor became incredibly valuable as I began writing novels. After being in TV news for six years, I learned to work quickly and efficiently. After […]
The 12 Steps to Self-Publishing
My mother used to say, “Good thing you got your father’s math skills and my English skills, and not the other way around.” My mother was an art major and my father owned a small business. Mom and I would make up stories together with fascinating characters and my dad taught me the old-school way […]
Writing and Cancer
I would consider myself to be an incredibly lucky person. I have a wonderful life. I’m about to celebrate my eighteenth wedding anniversary in June. I have two teenagers, a boy and a girl who are the light of my life. Especially when they choose to actually talk to me – that normally happens when […]
The Art of the “Difficult” Female Protagonist
Gone With the Wind, published in 1936, was extraordinary for many reasons. For me, the real genius of Margaret Mitchell’s work was her creation of Scarlett O’Hara, a rich, challenging, and difficult character. She’s spoiled, self-centered, scheming, and her family is on the wrong side of history. In spite of all that, we turn the […]
Why You Should Choose A Hybrid – An Insider’s Guide
As I’m sure you’re well aware by now, there are several different types of publisher out there and ways to go about securing one. Much information already exists regarding traditional and self-publishing in blog or tweet form (that’s supposed to be a joke), so we won’t waste any time on those. Alternately, this Guide is […]
Walking and Writing: Step By Step, Word By Word
I’m going to walk my way to my next novel. When I write it, of course, I will plant my butt in my chair and go head-to-head with the blinking screen of my laptop. But each word I type there will first take shape when I’m putting one foot in front of the other, when […]
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