A few years ago, a bookseller at Boswell Book Company told me about The Fruit Bowl Project: 50 ways to tell a story by Sarah Durkee. In this novel, rock superstar Nick Thompson visits an eighth-grade writing class to talk about writing. Here’s what Nick tells the class about writing: My theory is that for...Read More

Dealing with Rejection By Rochelle Melander   This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address.’ Just keep looking for...Read More

Metaphor Brainstorm by Rochelle Melander Metaphors. According to my Merriam-Webster‘s Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition), a metaphor is: “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.” Their example: drowning in money. Have...Read More

Balcony Space & The Writing Life by Rochelle Melander Business leaders have to be able to view patterns as if they were on a balcony. It does them no good to be swept into the field of action. —Ron Heifetz and Donald Laurie, The Work of Leadership in Harvard Business Review (December 2001) Balcony space...Read More

When I write fiction, I tend to give characters the jobs that I’d like to have. As an author, I often think about working as a professor, librarian or bookseller. But lately, I’ve been thinking it would be fun to give a character one of my fantasy jobs—you know, the stuff you could never-in-a-million-years do...Read More

With today’s blog post, I’m launching a brand new series for the blog—posts written by guest bloggers and featuring unique and profitable writing careers. For now, I am calling the series Writer @ Work—but I could use a better name. If you have an idea, send it to me via email. The winning name wins...Read More

Congratulations to my husband, Harold Eppley, on the publication of his first novel, Ash Wednesday. One of Harold’s funniest characters is the librarian, Dorothy Moyers. She’s the head librarian of Dustin Public Library. As such, she’s taken it upon herself to talk about Harold’s novel at the Dustin Public Library Facebook page. Here’s what she...Read More

Today’s tip, Nine Ways to Find the Agent You Need, is adapted from Michael Larsen’s must-have writing resource, How to Write a Book Proposal. If you want to hear more from Michael Larsen, please come to the Write Now! Mastermind class tomorrow, February 22 at 12:00 PM CST. If you’re interested in attending, you can sign...Read More

Yesterday morning, I returned home from the Y and found this note from my husband on the kitchen counter. Don’t forget, dear reader, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. “Fresh stool?” I wondered, “What does that have to do with celebrating Valentine’s Day?” I could not make the connection. Then, since the note was on the kitchen...Read More

In the past ten years, I have consulted with many authors on their book proposals and book ideas. I have also written and successfully sold several book proposals of my own. In every single case—mine included—the writers needed to improve their marketing section before they could sell their book. Here are five of the most...Read More