Playing to Win

Playing to Win

by | Craft, Promotion, Writing Life

What does “playing to win” mean?   This one’s gonna be a rough one, gang. But it’s important. I love the movie The Replacements. (Largely due to Keanu Reaves, not gonna lie.) But there is a great line in it, where the coach played by Gene...
How do I know my book is good enough?

How do I know my book is good enough?

by | Craft

This is one of the hardest, most heart breaking questions I get asked as an editor and a coach. For one thing, it is impossibly subjective. There is no scientific instrument where you pop your manuscript in, push a button, and after a few whirring minutes get a...
Ever feel like there’s too much to do?

Ever feel like there’s too much to do?

by | Craft

  Let’s face it: there’s a lot of advice out there if you want to be a “successful” author. You have to write a hook-filled, conflict-driven, character-driven, plot-driven, well-edited, cutting-edge, and unique story, that still fulfills...
If I had a nickel…

If I had a nickel…

by | Writing Life

  Quite often, usually at the beginning of the year or just before NaNo, I get a flood of emails from authors who want to work with me because they aren’t where they want to be in their manuscripts. “I just need to get my act together!” they...