Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

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

07 Feb 2012

Book Proposals

Does Your Idea Work?

Ideas are cheap and abundant; what is of value is the effective placement of those ideas into situations that develop into action. –Peter F. Drucker Author and management consultant Peter F. Drucker reminds us that ideas are cheap. As writers, our ideas mean little until we put them in writing.... Read More

31 Jan 2012

Book Reviews, Nonfiction Books, Uncategorized

The Project Book

In 2002, when Julie Powell began her Julie and Julia blog project, cooking 524 of Julia Child’s recipes in a single year, the project book was a fairly new idea. The Julie and Julia book was published in 2005, and Sony pictures made it into a movie in 2009. Today, the... Read More

24 Jan 2012

Reading

Writers Read

If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that. —Stephen King On Saturday, I stopped at our local library with a big bag. I spent time reviewing the shelves of new books, paying attention to the book titles... Read More