Alexander M. Zoltai's Blog, page 126
July 14, 2015
Short and Sweet Advice for Writers – 5 Ways to Add Suspense to Your Story
Well, I am one tired blogger—and, one incredibly excited blogger :-)
However, even though I just watched the close encounter atPluto with my Best Friend in Australia (on special NASA software), there will be SUSPENSE until just before 9pm, my time…
That’s when we’ll know if the New Horizons spacecraft is alive and well…
So, in honor of Pluto, here’s a re-blog about Suspense in Writing…
Originally posted on Live to Write - Write to Live:
Up all night – just can’t stop readi...
July 13, 2015
All About Reading . . .
I write about Reading, Writing, and Publishing.
Image Courtesy of tim & annette ~ http://www.freeimages.com/profile/mexikids
I’ve tried to cover all three equally in the past 4 and 1/2 years.
There are now over 1,160 posts on this blog and I encourage you to scroll down in the left side-bar to the Top Tags widget—pick a topic and enjoy :-)
Today (as I await the close encounter with Pluto…) I want to share six links to articles about Reading.
First, from the National Journal, an article about...
July 12, 2015
Literary Fiction’s Open Secret
Many writers still work toward being published traditionally and still dream of big advances…
Here’s a re-blog from Longreads that could open their eyes…
Originally posted on Longreads Blog:
With the publication of my second book, ‘Little Known Facts,’ lightning seemed to strike. This novel was reviewed on the cover of the New York Times Book Review and went on to receive other good reviews. Not long after ‘Little Known Fact’s’ publication date, Bloomsbury acquired a secon...
July 11, 2015
James Salter on Writing and the Open Road
Re-blogging some wisdom, for all writers…
Quote from the article:
“In a certain sense, a writer is an exile, an outsider, always reporting on things, and it is part of his life to keep on the move. Travel is natural.”And, let me add, “travel” can sometimes be as simple as walking around your neighborhood :-)
Originally posted on Longreads Blog:
INTERVIEWER
Does the travel help your writing?
SALTER
It’s essential for me. There is no situation like the open road, and seeing...
July 10, 2015
Publishing from Prison
I have a friend who’s the librarian at a prison.
Image Courtesy of Lauren J ~ http://www.freeimages.com/profile/iceycold87
Talking with him is an education.
I’d already known that most prisons arenot even close to rehabilitative.
I’d known that, at least in the U.S.A., there are more and more “prisons for profit“—the more prisoners, the more profit…
But talking with my friend has opened up the personal dimension of a prisoner’s life.
I’d never before even thought about books in a prison—now,...
July 9, 2015
5 Ways to Get More Art into Your Life
ReBlog Bonus (again from FastPencil):
Readers, Writers, Publishers—all need Art…
Originally posted on FastPencil.com Self-Publishing Blog:
WHY YOU NEED MORE ART IN YOUR LIFE (AND 5 WAYS TO GET IT)
Get Inspired!
If you want to find more creativity, satisfaction, and happiness, the single best solution I know is adding more art to your life.
Music has been a big part of my life since I was a young boy, though my tastes have broadened a lot since I was first learning chords...
How to: Write a Book Blurb
Nice little article from one of my favorite publishers :-)
Originally posted on FastPencil.com Self-Publishing Blog:
For some reason, book covers get all the attention, and blurbs less so. To my mind, a blurb is equally important. You’re going to be actually reading the book, not looking at an image, so a dull blurb says way more about a book than a bad cover. Obviously covers are important, but a great cover and a bad blurb may be equal to a bad cover and great blurb. Writ...
July 8, 2015
Astoundingly Special Bonus Blog Post ~ CLOSE ENCOUNTER, PLUTO !
I’ve been a space-junkie from my youth.
New Horizons Map of Pluto
Nine years ago, I was privileged (along with about 430,000 other folks) to have my name put on a CD-Rom which was attached to the New Horizons spacecraft…
That spacecraft will soon fly past Pluto…
The image over there is the best map of Pluto to date, taken by the New Horizons Spacecraft.
In the next 5 1/2 days, New Horizons will be taking ever-sharper and more detailed images…
July 14th is Close Encounter !!!
Before New Horizo...
Too Old to Write a Book?
Yesterday, my Best Friend sent me a link to an article from Overland, authored byMelissa Fagan, a Brisbane-based writer, writing teacher, and MPhil candidate in Creative Writing at the University of Queensland.
Image Courtesy of mihai radu ~ http://www.freeimages.com/profile/mihairadu
The article is entitled Not Dead Yet.
I found it intensely absorbing since my Best Friend published her first novel at 50 and I, in spite of a life-long love of words didn’t get busy writing seriously till my mi...
July 6, 2015
The Power of Body Language
What are the characters Doing while they’re walking, talking, and standing around??
Originally posted on M.C. Tuggle, Writer:
Are you frustrated with your characters? Are they slowing down what should be a gripping, page-turning story? Maybe it’s time you got them off their rear ends and put them to work.
In my re-writes, I search the text for characters who THINK rather than ACT. When I spot a cerebral, lackluster character, I start re-staging the scene like a director, d...
