Tag: Writing
-
Reading from the Shelved Pieces
My current process is to write a rough draft as quickly as possible, edit it immediately until it says what I think I want it to say, then put it on the shelf for at least a few months (if possible). At that point, I have enough distance to edit it mercilessly, then polish it up…
-
Write What You Know
When I was young, I was lucky enough to go to a few special classes that dealt with writing. Some advice threaded through all of them. I’m sure you’ve heard the classics: “Show, don’t tell,” and “Write what you know.” “Show, don’t tell,” absolutely makes sense. “Write what you know”… Well, that one I take…
-
Edits!
I re-read my earlier post about not writing during edits, and realized that the word “editing” covers a wide variety of tasks for me. There’s the initial quick-edit of a piece after the first draft is done, just to get in those changes I don’t want to forget. I generally think of this as finishing…
-
Conversations with Characters
Most of the people close to me write. We all have wildly different methods for writing, varying experiences with this creative art. It is extremely fun to talk about and learn new ways I might try to approach things, or even hear about techniques that I know will not work for me. When I’m writing,…
-
Series Arcs in Miniature
My project list is long, and there are pieces I’m very excited to get started on. I’m getting closer to being ready to start the long paranormal romance series that started my love of writing the genre. And the sequel to that series! I’m going to finish my current paranormal erotica novella series project first…
-
To Write, or Not to Write
I’m finding that I can either write or edit, but not both. Different parts of my brain engage for each activity. When I’m editing a piece, my critic is in the forefront. This is when she gets to do her thing. But it takes time to get her to stop when I sit down to…
-
The Call – Part Two
I am so happy to announce that I have another piece coming out with Samhain Publishing in 2015! And I get to work on it with the amazing Holly Atkinson! I’m still a bit in shock. This one is a science-fiction erotica novella. It’s not due out for a bit yet, so I’ll be saving the details…
-
Being Reasonable
Recently, I set out to write a new book. While working out the pacing and the timeline for the draft, I set my word count goal. And missed it. And missed it. And missed it. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Then I finally realized that I had doubled my daily word count goal…
-
Starting with Love
Before I can really dive into the plot of a new project, I usually need to map out the relationship between the hero and heroine. Once I have a handle on what obstacles they’re facing, the very compelling reasons they have to surmount those obstacles, and how and when they’re going to overcome them, the…
-
Sustainability
Balancing a job, a family, friends, maintaining good health, and launching a new writing career is difficult. I’m still searching for that magic formula, a schedule that feeds all of these important aspects of my life. But I also know that life is constantly changing. What works one week won’t cut it the next. It’s…
Cassandra Chandler 