by Ramona Richards  @RamonaRichards Here’s a question I hear a lot, usually from new conference goers—or in some case new writers: “If I don’t have anything to pitch, is an appointment with an editor or agent a waste of time?” Like so many answers in publishing, this one can be…

By Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson In the 1960s, Ivory soap produced a number of ads showing mother/daughter duos who looked so similar—or whose hands looked so young—the narrator tried to determine which was the mother and which was the daughter. Despite looking remarkably alike—and youthful—one, indeed was the mom and…

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted The most important thing you can remember as your writing career progresses is “Do your homework.” Here’s why: “I can help you with this.” Ned slipped a business card onto Sally’s notepad. “I notice you’re talking tons of notes. No need. I can help you.” She…

By Sheila Alewine @AlewineSheila No one can dispute the power of words, and I believe written words are exponentially more powerful, if only because they last longer. If a friend or loved one says something encouraging to me, I may remember it for a few days, or if it was…

by Sandy Kirby Quandt @SandyKQuandt We’ve recently passed through the time of year when two of my favorite constellations, Pleiades and Orion, were visible over our house in the early morning hours. Each morning they rested overhead I walked down the driveway to retrieve the paper, paused, and looked skyward…

By Aaron Gansky @ADGansky Flannery O’Connor is one of my favorite writers of all time. I’m a bit of a fanboy. So when she writes about writing, I pay attention. In her essays Mystery and Manners, she says, “I often ask myself what makes a story work, and what makes…