Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 187

Revision Angst

CARTOON EMBED CODE:


(Before embedding, see my cartoon licensing info.)

Speaking of revision, here are some great quotes on the topic from Revision In Fiction:

Jacques Barzun:

"Once you have 'something down,' as professional writers say, the job of verifying, improving, cutting, and polishing is pure pleasure. Unlike the sculptor, the writer can start carving and enjoying himself only after he has dug the marble out of his own head

A Glimpse Into A Book Revision

Children's book author Gina Ritter has posted an example of her wonderfully scribbly revision process online.

Golden Marmot Awards #2

One of the great challenges of Twitter is to get across your personality in 140 characters or less: a challenge for any writer. Here are just a few of my recent favourites:

Brought home 4 pairs of sale shoes. Husband said, "I married a millipede." Words are weapons, people. – @PowerOfNo

Do not tell anyone! Keep it a secret! The fact that it becomes a cook book halfway though is something I want no one to know. – @JustineLavaworm

There is a rumor going around that Sarah Palin resigned to work on a b

More Madeleine L'Engle Inspiration

[image error]

A while back, I posted about Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle In Time" being rejected 26 times. While in a Twitter writers' chat (#writechat, hosted by author Julie Isaac), I discovered that Mark David Gerson has also posted about Madeleine L'Engle's rejections.

Find out more in his great blog entry: Feeling Rejected? Don't Be Dejected!

Want to find out about other famous author rejections? Visit Writers & Rejections: Don't Give Up!

How To Set Up A Book Blog Tour

[image error]

Sandra Gulland has posted advice for authors on how they can set up their own book blog tours in her blog. Sandra is author of Mistress of the Sun, recently published by HarperCollins.

She Writes: new social networking site for women writers

[image error]

Even as I was signing up for She Writes, I admit to wondering, "Do I really need to join yet another social network?" However, I'm enjoying the discussions and the user-friendly design, and I like the fact that users have to be approved before being permitted to join; hopefully this will cut down on spammers. I also like the fact that the site encourages members to interact with each other in a supportive atmosphere.

The site is only six days old, and there are already over 40 groups. One of the

Golden Marmot Awards

One of the great challenges of Twitter is to get across your personality in 140 characters or less: a challenge for any writer. Here are just a few of my favourites from the past few days:

My sister just had a baby, so now she knows how I feel having finished 1st draft of my "Fringe" spec. – @julie_bush

PLEASE don't tell my husband I misspelled Nabokov. – @PowerOfNo

I may've found a FANTASTIC manuscript. Gotta stop reading. Please let it not transform itself into lousy during the night. – @liter

When the laptop's in the shop…

Inspired by a Twitter conversation with children's book author and illustrator Diane Dawson Hearn:

CARTOON EMBED CODE:


(Before embedding, see my cartoon licensing info.)

 

Fox Writers

CARTOON EMBED CODE:


(Before embedding, see my cartoon licensing info.)

 

Real Simple mag essay contest

Real Simple magazine is hosting its Second-Annual Life Lessons Contest.

First prize: publication in the magazine, win round-trip tickets for two to New York City, hotel accommodations for two nights, tickets to a Broadway play, and a lunch with Real Simple editors; and $3,000.

Deadline: September 7, 2009. 1500 words max, can be sent by e-mail or snailmail. Limit one entry per person or e-mail account. Open to U.S. residents only.

You can find the full contest rules on the Real Simple website.

Plea