The List of Twenty

A quick glance at my latest publishing contract last week provided a shocker. While my next book isn’t due for more than a year, my proposal is due next month. Here’s a quick catch-up on what “proposal” means. In traditional publishing editors usually require authors to submit their ideas ahead of time if they’re already…

Read More

What Would You Take?

Last year about this time I was in Las Vegas. Not gambling–I didn’t even play the nickel slots. My husband and I had flown there from a summer in Western New York to start our hiking trip through the five national parks of Utah. Learning our route, our children insisted we stay at least one…

Read More

Brainstorming 2018: Oh, the Things People Say

Brainstorming 2018 is now just a mish-mash of notes and ideas brewing in the head of each of the four members of my brainstorming group. But wow, did we accomplish a lot. If you’re late coming to the idea of brainstorming and what goes on, you can find lots about what we do here.  Meantime,…

Read More

Now and Then in Novels

Last week I told you about Now and Then in my actual life, but every novelist lives in at least two worlds. Novelists wake up to one world every morning, but another always lives in our imaginations. Sometimes that imaginary world even creeps into our dreams. Imaginary worlds have Now and Then, too. Every story…

Read More

The Pleasures and Pitfalls of Research

Can novelists know too much about their subject, as well as too little? Last week I shared the three stages of research that I go through as I write my novels. Stage one: Broad research to determine whether an idea is workable. Stage two: Collection of facts needed to anchor my story in reality. Stage three:…

Read More

Five Steps Every Writer Should Take: Part Two

One thing we can say about Five Steps Every Writer Should Take: Part Two? There must have been a Part One. Good news. You can read it here. Here’s a quick summary. Last week I explored the first two steps every writer needs to take. Finding time to write, and finding the right place to…

Read More

Plotting Your Novel: Heading Toward the Finish Line

With the exception of Thanksgiving week, I’ve spent November explaining how I plot my novels. I’ve really enjoyed creating these posts, especially when I’ve been privileged to read your ideas and incorporate them. Remember, this was a “practice” novel, inspired by a comment I overheard at breakfast one morning, and we’ve come a long way…

Read More

Plotting: Scenes and Revelations

Welcome to round three of “How Emilie Plots Her Novels.” Note that I didn’t simplify that first sentence and call this series “How To Plot A Novel?” Remember, we’re exploring my way. If someone tells you their way is the right way? I’d take that with a block of salt. Some writers have no idea…

Read More

Plotting Continues: No, You’re Not Halfway There

Last week we began a story, or rather I began it with a snatch of conversation overheard at breakfast. Have you been listening for interesting bits of conversation ever since? Have you begun noticing anything that’s odd in your everyday interactions? Has a little voice whispered in your ear, “that would make a good novel?”…

Read More