Simon P. Clark's Blog, page 8
July 24, 2013
Writers' & Artists' Article Series
Howdy, all.
[image error]A while ago I wrote a series of blog posts for The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook. Those blog posts, about different aspects of writing, revising, and preparing for submission, have just been turned into articles - meaning they have a more permanent home on the site, in the Writers Advice section. This, of course, makes me happy, knowing they're going to stick around to hopefully help and encourage and enrage other writers and thinkers.
The seven articles are now up for...
[image error]A while ago I wrote a series of blog posts for The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook. Those blog posts, about different aspects of writing, revising, and preparing for submission, have just been turned into articles - meaning they have a more permanent home on the site, in the Writers Advice section. This, of course, makes me happy, knowing they're going to stick around to hopefully help and encourage and enrage other writers and thinkers.
The seven articles are now up for...
Published on July 24, 2013 11:12
July 22, 2013
So's Your Book Out Yet? - Why It Takes So Long To Publish A Book

Besides the classic lies - that writers are rich (ha!), that writers don't do much, and that writing for children is easier than writing for adults - there's one particular aspect of the whole thing that gets lost in translation, if you will: the amount of time it actually takes.
The following phrases are not the same:
I finished my book!I have an agent!We got an offer!The contracts are signed!Just got...
Published on July 22, 2013 06:50
July 15, 2013
Five Practical Things for Young Writers To Do

How do you become an author? What does it looks like? How does it become professional? Well, you write a book - of course - but that's not actually that helpful, is it? People know that. There has to be more. What should young writers be on the look out for, to help them out and build...
Published on July 15, 2013 09:58
July 12, 2013
Summer's Edge and Summer's Double edge - Two New Collections from EBP
Happy Friday, all.
A busy week, and I've been a bit remiss at blogging, but that'll sort itself out soon enough. Right now, I want to celebrate / look forward to Elephant Bookshelf Press' two upcoming anthologies celebrating all things fleeting about relationships, Summer's Edge and Summer's Double Edge. They're coming out on Monday (July 15) and are going to be great.
These two anthologies, related but not necessarily required to be read together, are the latest in EBP's seasonal collections....
A busy week, and I've been a bit remiss at blogging, but that'll sort itself out soon enough. Right now, I want to celebrate / look forward to Elephant Bookshelf Press' two upcoming anthologies celebrating all things fleeting about relationships, Summer's Edge and Summer's Double Edge. They're coming out on Monday (July 15) and are going to be great.


These two anthologies, related but not necessarily required to be read together, are the latest in EBP's seasonal collections....
Published on July 12, 2013 06:22
July 8, 2013
Sharing Work Is So Scary
Sharing work is so scary.
I wonder if it applies to all art?
Apart from writing, the only other creative field I've really committed time to is music. I play a few instruments, and part of that is the occasional public performance; a school concert, jamming with friends, playing in church. Even if I'm good, and I've rehearsed, and know what's going to happen, I get nervous. I want it to be a certain way, to have a certain feel, and the pressure is on.
Still, if I'm following music, it's right, o...
I wonder if it applies to all art?
Apart from writing, the only other creative field I've really committed time to is music. I play a few instruments, and part of that is the occasional public performance; a school concert, jamming with friends, playing in church. Even if I'm good, and I've rehearsed, and know what's going to happen, I get nervous. I want it to be a certain way, to have a certain feel, and the pressure is on.

Published on July 08, 2013 08:04
June 28, 2013
LOST CHANCES - A Twitter-prompted experimental short story
Earlier today I asked on Twitter for some writing prompts to use over lunch. I'm experimenting now - writing short, fast pieces that don't have much planning, and don't have much time. It's part of getting better at what I do - writing, telling stories, and making words do what I want. The following story was written based on those prompts, and took about thirty minutes. I've edited it up quickly, but it's still a rough thing with some sharp edges that need sorting. I hope you enjoy - and let...
Published on June 28, 2013 10:23
June 26, 2013
Writing Good Children's Dialogue
I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because good grammar is basically the new sexy. Writers need to pay attention to their tools, as Neil Gaiman was saying only last week, and time spent revising silly mistakes is time that could be spent writing. Grammarly were awesome enough to sponsor this post.
Dialogue's one of those things that’s hard to get right, and easy to notice. Natural, flowing conversation is, in fact, pretty much a myth made up by playwrights. Listen to any group of peo...
Dialogue's one of those things that’s hard to get right, and easy to notice. Natural, flowing conversation is, in fact, pretty much a myth made up by playwrights. Listen to any group of peo...
Published on June 26, 2013 06:43
June 20, 2013
What Vices Should New Authors Watch Out For? David Almond, Patrick Ness, Neil Gaiman and Lemony Snicket Answer The Question
A mild disclaimer: None of these answers were given specifically to be published - by which I mean the authors didn't know what I was going to do with the info. They're mostly spur of the moment, off hand replies, and not official or binding or, necessarily, true. They were all given in public forums, though, so I have no problem collecting them here. And they were all given as answers to my question - they're not just ripped out of context from other interviews. So, do with them as you will....
Published on June 20, 2013 20:41
June 19, 2013
An Inspiring Evening with Neil Gaiman and The Ocean at the End of the Lane
A quick post today, while things are still fresh in my mind. Anyone who follows me on Twitter might have picked up on the few (several) small (huge) posts I made about going to see Neil Gaiman on publication day of his new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I've been a fan of his for many years now, ever since my wife introduced me to his stuff. So, fittingly, I bought her tickets as a surprise and tagged along so she wouldn't be lonely.

The evening was a blast. Gaiman, who'd flown in fro...

The evening was a blast. Gaiman, who'd flown in fro...
Published on June 19, 2013 06:39
June 18, 2013
The Oxford Comma Is As Cool As I Am.
Found this on my travels this morning, and thought I'd share it with you all.
Because I know you care.
I know you do.
I'm so cool.
Courtesy of: OnlineSchools.com
Because I know you care.
I know you do.
I'm so cool.

Published on June 18, 2013 07:11