Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

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... Read More

29 Feb 2012

Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Your Fantasy Job

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... Read More

28 Feb 2012

Writing Jobs

Writer @ Work: Ed Makowski, The Pfister Narrator

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... Read More

22 Feb 2012

Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Character Study

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... Read More

21 Feb 2012

Agents

Nine Ways to Find the Agent You Need by Michael Larsen

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... Read More

15 Feb 2012

Uncategorized, Wednesday Writing Prompt

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Homonym Fun

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... Read More

14 Feb 2012

Publishing

Define Your Book’s Market

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... Read More

08 Feb 2012

Wednesday Writing Prompt

I still remember the moment. My husband and I were in the checkout line at the grocery store. I was reading the headlines on the magazines when I saw this one, “Constipation Killed the Dinosaurs.” Until then, I don’t think I realized how amazingly creative tabloid writers need to be.... Read More