Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 5

Evolution of an Opening - by Matthew Greene

Choose a block of your writing—past or present—and walk us through its revision journey. What worked? What didn’t? What did you learn in the process?

Well, my worst nightmare has come true—I’m sharing early drafts on the internet. But I think this is a really interesting prompt, so I’ll force myself to be vulnerable and share the goods. (Or…the bads, as it were.)

Not only is this a passage from a first draft, it’s the first draft of my first novel. So, please be kind as I share the evolution of th...

The Lion and the Mouse by Poppy Gee

Who are the authors who have inspired you in howyou conduct yourself as a professional writer? This is not so much thecreative/writerly side of them (but could be) but how they navigate theircareer, and the publishing industry in general. What do they do that you findinspiring or interesting?

Many writers have helped me in different ways, big and small,over the years. 

March 2014: As a newly published debut author, I was havinga rough night at the welcome drinks for the Beaconsfield Fest...

Yes, we know who you are! by Catriona

Who are theauthors who have inspired you in how you conduct yourself as a professionalwriter? This is not so much the creative/writerly side of them (but could be)but how they navigate their career, and the publishing industry in general.What do they do that you find inspiring or interesting?

This is out now in the US - buy links

Right, well I'm going to start by recounting an experience that taught me how *not* to be as a professional writer out in public.

I got introduced to this guy - let's ...

Inspired by Eric Beetner

 Who are the authors who have inspired you in how you conduct yourself as a professional writer? This is not so much the creative/writerly side of them (but could be) but how they navigate their career, and the publishing industry in general. What do they do that you find inspiring or interesting?

I find modeling my career after anyone terribly difficult because so much of being a successful writer happens behind the scenes.

I wish I could follow the path of many writers in finding the perfect age...

Authors Behaving Beautifully

 

Who are theauthors who have inspired you in how you conduct yourself as a professionalwriter? This is not so much the creative/writerly side of them (but could be)but how they navigate their career, and the publishing industry in general.What do they do that you find inspiring or interesting?

 

Maya Angelou said, “Peoplewill forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people willnever forget how you made them feel.”

A lovely sentiment. And one thatpresumes a real intera...

Thank You for Being A Friend

 

 

 

Who are authors whohave inspired you in how you conduct yourself as a professional writer? What dothey do that you find inspiring or interesting?

 

What afantastic question. Or is it my acceptance speech for my first writing award? Untilthen I will take supreme pleasure in answering this question. When you’re a newwriter with no idea how the industry works your head is full of rainbows,sunshine, and a belief that you’re only one story away from becoming a New YorkTimes Bestselli...

Musings on Muses from James W. Ziskin

Do you write from the heart, following your muse, not thinking about the reader at all; or do you write with the market in mind, thinking of the reader and how you can make the novel commercially successful; or somewhere in between? How would you advise an emerging author on this?

When I write, I never think about the market or what might sell. One look at my royalty statements will bear that out. And if I knew the secret to commercial success, I wouldn’t be wasting your time with this blog every...

Welcome John Lansing

This week, I’ve invited author John Lansing to write a guest post after having read his latest, Embedded. It’s the start of a new series about jailed Army Ranger Dakota Judd who’s been offered a life-altering deal from the FBI: infiltrate a White Supremacist prison gang while he’s incarcerated, then embed himself into their militia on the outside and become the eyes and ears of the FBI. If successful, his record will be expunged and he can live a normal life. If he fails, he'll wind up dead. It’...

Terry here, with our question of the week: Do you write ...

 

Terry here, with our question of the week: 
Do you write from the heart, following your muse, not thinking about the reader at all; or do you write with the market in mind, thinking of the reader and how you can make the novel commercially successful; or somewhere in between? How would you advise an emerging author on this? 
I write from the heart and the head; follow my muse and my whims; think about the reader and about my own enjoyment. And I pretty much never think about how to make a book c...

A love letter to a future reader - Matthew Greene

Do you write from the heart, following your muse, not thinking about the reader at all; or do you write with the market in mind, thinking of the reader and how you can make the novel commercially successful; or somewhere in between? How would you advise an emerging author on this?

Dear Future Reader,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Sure, we haven’t technically met, but I know a few things about you. You probably gravitate to the kinds of stories I like to tell. So, we might read some of the sa...