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By:
Robin Brande,
on 5/15/2015
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I’m so excited by these books, I have to pass them along.
First of all, right now you can get for the incredibly low price of $20 this entire story bundle of writing books. I would have bought just one of the books on my own–the horse one by Judith Tarr, since I’m writing a lot of horse scenes these days for The Bradamante Saga and yes, I’d like to make sure I get them right–but then once I saw all the other awesome craft books in this bundle: SOLD. Because every writer can get better, and it’s such a pleasure to read a great craft book by authors who are experts in their field.
And speaking of authors who are experts in their field, the great young adult author Tom Leveen now has a new book out on writing dialogue. Before turning to novels, Tom spent many years in the theater as both an actor and director. I’ve taught writing workshops with him, and his tips for writing great dialogue are always FANTASTIC. Treat yourself to this book. You’ll learn a ton.
That’s it for now, gang. Happy Writing!
By:
Robin Brande,
on 5/11/2014
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Here are the categories I’m dealing with lately: planning a new backpacking adventure. Planning a new book series. Planning another new series in a whole new genre. Which right now equals about 15 new books. I’m not even kidding.
And this morning it was starting to feel a little . . . daunting. As in, Can’t do any of them, just have to sit here and think about what I want to do.
That kind of stupor that could easily go on for days.
But I’m going to approach it a different way this time. Because recently I heard a great talk from outdoor adventurer (and mother and wife and owner of my favorite outdoor store Summit Hut) Dana Davis.
Dana has hiked up Mount Rainier. That right there qualifies her as badass. But she’s accomplished many other physical feats, and is currently training for her first Ironman triathlon, even though as she tells it she has bad knees, bad ankles, can’t run, isn’t so hot at either biking or swimming (I can’t remember which)–clearly not ideal when you’re going to be doing all three for miles and miles in one day.
But somehow that sounds fun to Dana.
And that fun is infectious. While it’s possible that some of the people in the crowd the other night might have thought to themselves, “Dang! I’m going to Ironman it, too!” I have the feeling they reacted the same way I did, which was to take Dana’s lessons about training for something hard and think about how we might apply them to some of the upcoming challenges in our own lives.
I think my favorite piece of her advice was this: Embrace the suck. Recognize that somewhere along the way you’re going to have to deal with a certain amount of discomfort, pain, and unhappiness. But if you recognize that ahead of time, really reconcile yourself to it, then when it shows up you can calmly tell yourself, “Yep, here it is. I knew it was coming. Here’s the suck. Let’s keep going.”
What’s “the suck” for me? There are times in every single backpacking trip when it’s as if I turn to myself and ask, “Did you really think this was fun? Are you really doing this on purpose?” Because mountains are high, trails are long, lightning storms scare the crap out of me, mosquitos bite, dogs roll in human feces (don’t get me started on people not properly disposing of their turds), and things just plain go wrong. That is the nature of outdoor adventures. Of any adventure, really.
I see it with my book adventures, too. When I set out to write something new, I know the time will come when my hands will feel like claws from typing for so many hours at a time, my brain will feel completely exhausted and empty, and yet the drill sergeant in me will try to force me to keep going even though all I really want to do is take the day off and watch Pixar movies. There’s a reason why The Incredibles exists. It is there to restore the worn-out brains of adults all over the world.
In a few days I’ll be posting Dana’s full list for psyching yourself up and preparing for something big, but for now I just wanted to whet your appetite for the whole thing.
Until then, you might want to reread a few earlier posts (that’s right, to psyche yourself up for the next big post. See how it works?):
How To Know When It’s Time To Make a Change In Your Life
Becoming the Possible You
The 100 Things You Keep Meaning To Do
Deciding To Worry About That Tomorrow
Stay tuned!
By:
Robin Brande,
on 5/4/2014
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This commencement speech by Neil Gaiman about carving out a life of creativity is one of those things I’ve been meaning to watch for a long time, but never seemed to get around to.
Which is why we need people who say, “Here! Look!” and send you the link. Thank you to author and illustrator Guy Porfirio for being that person for me today.
And now I get to be that person for all of you. Here! Look!
By:
Robin Brande,
on 5/2/2014
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Back when I was practicing law, I had a sign hanging in my office that said: Perfectionism is an elegant defense against real life.
I kept a separate note inside my desk that read: If I don’t win your case, I’ll eat a bug. I leave it to you to decide how those two things matched up.
(And for more adventures of being a law student and lawyer, you can read my lawyer romance LOVE PROOF. It’s lots of fun.)
The issue of perfectionism haunts a lot of us. We’re never quite there. Wherever “there” is. And sometimes that feels like a moving target.
It’s why I was interested in this TED talk by Sarah Lewis about success versus the “near win.” About success versus mastery. I loved her stories of artists and writers who knew their work was never complete, but who put it out there anyway. (Or who ordered their friends to burn everything after the artist died, but too bad–friends hardly ever obey those crazy wishes.)
It’s why even though I know some of my novels aren’t perfect, I still let you read them. Because I like the stories and want to share them with you, even though sometimes when I look back at them I might wince at this line of dialogue, that awkward scene, some weird way of putting something that at the time I thought was cool. Oh well. I did my best. And I’m going to keep moving forward and write the next one, rather than constantly mess around with one I’ve already “finished.”
Which is my way of saying that if you don’t love every single word I write, that’s okay–I probably don’t, either. But overall I’m happy with the idea that you and I sat around a campfire one night and I told you this story from start to finish. And we had fun. There were marshmallows. And then the next night we moved on to some new story instead of me saying, “You know last night when I told you the girl in the story’s name is Rose? It’s Giselle instead. And that part about her hating her mother? Forget it–her mom died.” Etc. Etc. BORING. Move on. We already got to The End on that one–give me something new.
With that, I give you Sarah Lewis and her talk “Embracing the Near Win”:
By: Alan Dapré,
on 12/29/2013
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12 – Being famous – worked for Whoopi Goldberg, Julie Andrew, Madonna, etc. 11 – Playing for Chelsea - worked for Frank Lampard. 10 - Posting your manuscript through J.K. Rowling’s front door. She probably has a bin under the letter box … Continue reading →
Here's a post about rejection that orriginally appeared here: http://mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com/2013/02/saturday-so-what-spotlight-michael-young.html?showComment=1360078358572#c2208889451602631540
You could say I’ve asked for it.
Someone who doesn’t like facing constant rejection should probably not go into writing, acting, singing or missionary work.
I’ve done all of the above. I’m practically a human pincushion. Editors and agents have rejected my writing, directors have rejected my auditions, and, oh, so many people (especially Germans) have rejected my attempts to talk religion. Despite this, nine out of ten people who know me would likely say I’m a happy guy, who continues fighting all of the above battles.
How do I still have a shred of self-esteem?
For starters, I should say that some days are better than others. My self-esteem does go through highs and lows, and sometimes I do feel like giving up on the things I’m passionate about. I have, however, experimented in my life with the best coping mechanisms for me. They may not be the same for everyone, but I’d like to share a few that have gotten me through the less-than-rose-colored days.
1.
Allow Some Time to Mourn (But Not Too Long) I don’t think it’s to hold things in. Trying to pretend that something didn’t affect you when it did serves no purpose. Feeling a little genuine grief can actually be a cathartic, healing experience. But do put a cap on it. If you languish with a bag of Oreos for a week after every time you get a rejection, you might be overdoing it. I usually allow myself 24 hours to feel bad about a rejection, and don’t feel guilty about mourning a bit. Then, however, I honor my agreement with myself and set it aside.
2. Remind Yourself of Your Successes.It can be easy to focus on the negative after a rejection. Sometimes, it dredges up all the memories of past rejections, and these start to seem like a mountain whose shadow you might never escape. It does me so much good in these times to remember the things I have succeeded in. A few years ago, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of becoming a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. One of my personal mantras when faced with rejection is “that one success can cover a mountain of failures.” Your successes need not be large things, but I promise you, if you peek out from behind the cloud of pessimism, you will find them.
3. Take Time to Appreciate the Success and Effort of Others. Rejections can hurt especially bad when observing the success of others around you. It is easy to forget all the time, struggle and anguish another person in a similar situation had to invest before achieving success. I remember once reading a quote from the famous basketball player Michael Jordan, in which he expressed his regret that at the height of his career that he made playing professional basketball look so easy. So many young boys thought they could be just like him, but didn’t understand all of the practice, the failures and the immense amount of time it took for him to get to where he was. After a rejection, I make it a point to spend a little less time on social media, where people most often display their best news, so that I am not tempted by jealousy. If I do see something, however, I give my best effort to appreciate that person’s effort and to remember that it might very well be me someday.
4. Get Back in the Saddle.In my book, I believe persistence will take your farther in life than even talent. Talent without persistence is hallow. No matter how hard it seems, you need to launch into your next project and keep revising and submitting. I often remember that Abraham Lincoln ran for many public offices and lost all of the elections until the big one. He’s now so famous that his face gets to be on both a bill, a coin, and a Steven Spielberg movie. Did I mention the big shrine in Washington DC? Maybe that won’t happen for you, but one thing is for sure—you definitely won’t have anything like that happen to you if you quit.
5. Look at the Big Picture. The truth is, most books get rejected many times before finding their place. What may seem like a tumble from a cliff may really be only a minor speed bump. Even sore bruises heal with time. Remember how far you have come, and don’t take your eyes off on where you want to end up. And while you are getting there—enjoy the ride.
Above all, I realize that rejection is a part of life. Sometimes, I even find the audacity to smile at them. A rejection means that you overcame your fears of trying. That is so much farther than most people go. For every writer, singer, actor, or whatever, there are thousands who wished they had the courage and patience to be any one of those things. A rejection then, is not a black mark on your record, but a badge of honor.
For many years, one of the newspaper advice columnists would run a meditation called Just for Today, on New Year’s Day. Maybe an advice columnist still keeps this tradition, I’m not sure. But I am sure that when I first read the words, I was struck by the powerful message. That if we focus on each day, as it comes, we can accomplish much more than we thought possible. And so with that message in mind, I considered what I, the writer, wanted to accomplish in 2013.
Just for today, I will write. It may not be 20,000 words, or even 2,000 words. Heck, it may be a 200-word blog post or a (very) detailed grocery list. I will write, because I know that writing is a skill that improves with daily practice.
Just for today, I will read. If I have a great idea for an article, I’ll read the market I’m considering pitching. If I’m working on a novel manuscript, I’ll read a novel in that genre, even it’s just the first chapter. If I’m stuck on an aspect in my craft, I’ll take that how-to book from the shelf, blow the dust off, and read the pertinent paragraphs. I will read, because I know that reading is a sure way to writing growth and improvement.
Just for today, I will encourage or support another writer. If I've enjoyed an author’s novel, I’ll write a review on Amazon, or perhaps Goodreads. If I drop by a blog and like the content, I’ll leave a comment, letting the blogger know. Maybe I’ll retweet a writer’s good news or just click on a "Like" button. I’ll encourage or support another writer, because I know how much my writer friends’ support and encouragement means to me, especially when it comes on those days when a stinging criticism won’t let go of me. A couple of kind words can make all the difference.
Just for today, I will take care of business. I’ll answer the emails, update my finances and keep on track with my submissions. I will take care of business, because I know that when I treat my writing as a business, my writing pays me back.
Just for today, I will be thankful that I’m a writer. Despite the rejections, the revisions, the constant hair-pulling and occasional whining, I wouldn't want any other job in the world. I will be thankful that I’m a writer, because when I’m lucky enough to find just the right words, my soul sings.
And what writer wouldn't want to accomplish that, even if it’s just for today?
~From Cathy C. Hall, wishing you bountiful words and blessings in 2013!
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
~Seneca
I am a big believer in preparation, especially when it comes to writing conferences. Probably because I look at conferences as more of “workferences.” I mean, yes, I confer with a ton of people. But honestly, I work that event like a politician in a room full of babies.
Which doesn’t exactly sound polite. And I am
very polite. But I’m also a writer determined to maximize my return of investment. And that takes weeks of preparation before I ever walk (nervously) through the doors of opportunity.
Here’s what I do. (Maybe it’ll help you.)
Check the schedule and target the sessions that offer you the advice and information you need
for where you are in your writer’s journey. If you’re a sparkly new writer, you’ll want to find classes for the beginner. But if you have a couple of finished manuscripts, you'll want to hear what agents and editors have to say. Most conferences offer plenty of sessions, for all levels of writers.
Research the speakers. Read the books they’ve authored, or at least familiarize yourself with what they’ve published. For agents, know what they’re looking for, and for editors, check the books they’ve edited. Because you may find yourself at lunch (mostly because you planned it that way) sitting next to the editor from a huge publishing house. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could say, “Oh, I loved (fill-in-the-blank-with-a-book-she-edited)!” And a delightful conversation ensues.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want to be
that writer, the one who’s sucking up. But you’re not sucking up; you’re working. Speakers want to help you. They’re happy to share their expertise. They come to conferences, expecting to meet and talk with lots and lots of writers.
They’re looking for their next writer star.Of course, if you know
too much about a speaker, you’re saying, “I’m that crazy writer who’ll pick up your used napkin after you leave.” You do
not want to be that writer.
You
do want to be that writer who says, “Wow. That conference was worth every penny!” So put in the work before the conference and you may find yourself quoting Henry Hartman who said, “
Success happens when opportunity meets preparation.”
(I prepare
Cathy-on-a-Stick for conferences as well. But she never really behaves herself.)
By:
Robin Brande,
on 7/5/2012
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One of the best columns by Kristine Kathryn Rusch ever, and that’s saying a lot, since most of her…
By:
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on 3/27/2012
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I love this description from the Houston Library for the interview I just did with them: “Robin Brande discusses writing,…
By:
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on 3/15/2012
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Another great business-of-writing post by award-winning, bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch. She posts a new business column every Thursday…
Writing Bootcamp is a blog series in which I invite fabulous authors to share with you (yes, you! assuming you are an inquisitive writer) their best bits of writerly advice. Today Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch, tells you (yes! you again) to be brave...
--
When aspiring authors used to ask me for advice, I would smile and say, “Be a great reader,” or “Be a sponge,” or something kind, encouraging, but to be honest a bit common.
My advice has changed.
If someone asks me how to be a better WRITER, then I still answer with the above. But if someone asks me how to be a PUBLISHED AUTHOR, then I say this.
Be brave.
Putting yourself and your work out there to be judged is a terrifying thing, to be sure. But this is a very hard industry, one built on critique and rejection, and in order to get through, you have to be brave. Your want of publication has to be greater than your fear of rejection. If you find yourself paralyzed by the mere notion of critique, then you do not want it badly enough. YET. You are not ready. YET. And that’s okay.
In publishing, rejection exists not only as a way of culling potential books, but as a test, to see if the author is ready for the next step. Because rejection, critique, judgment...they exist at every step. They are an integral part of this industry.
So.
If you want this, if you really, really, really want this in that way that physically hurts, that way that keeps you up at night, holds your mind hostage and your fingers always writing, then you will be brave enough to share your work, brave enough to take feedback, brave enough to get better. Do not be hindered by fear. Let it drive you. Let your want carry you through.
I’m not saying you aren’t allowed to be afraid, not saying you’re weak or unready if you feel that fear (we ALL feel it). I’m only saying that you must look at fear and want and see which is bigger. Do not let fear win that contest.
Be brave.
--
Victoria Schwab is the author of The Near Witch (which you can find out more about on Goodreads). Check out her website (it is very cool) and ever fabulous blog (I really like this post). More about her here.
A few years ago, around this time in the year, I was working as an accountant. Accounting was okay but my happiest days were when I had a writing assignment. I would look for any excuse to write--the employee rules needed revamping or the charitable committee needed a flyer. Finally, after a prolonged illness, I decided to ditch the corporate world and write.
Today, in reflection of how far I have come, I would like to share some of the things I have learned…and I would love for you to share your insights as well.
If it weren’t for writing I never would have learned that…
Receiving criticism is like giving blood—it’s only the initial prick that stings.
More people are interested in what I have to say than I ever would have guessed.
That initial door leads to other forms of creative expression such as drawing, jewelry making, photography and even arranging musical selections. I never would have known that tone and even dramatic arc could play into these other areas.
I can solve all sorts of problems with a large blank piece of paper and some colored pencils.
When linear thought goes nowhere try the roundabout.
Not everyone is happy that I am pursuing/achieving my dreams. That’s okay—I can let them go.
There are more like-minded people in the world than I ever anticipated.
...What have you learned?
by Robyn Chausse
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By:
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By:
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Oh, how I love this post by Dean Wesley Smith! It’s a rerun, and it’s worth rereading at least…
Last year I won a giveaway for a copy of a cozy mystery. When the package arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find not just a book but a companion audio disc of the author reading her novel! I stuffed the book onto a shelf and popped the CD into a player. We had a terrific time, this author and I, both in our kitchens. I was cooking dinner; she was baking…and solving a mystery. Not long after that I downloaded an audio file of Sherlock Holmes stories and just recently I listened to the first chapter of an Irish mystery which I can hardly wait to purchase so I can hear the rest of the tale. I’m hooked on audio, and I’m not alone.
According to the Audio Publishers Association 25% of Americans listen to audio books. The demographic is well-educated, median-income consumers who also read more books annually than the average non-listener. The Association of American Publishers states that downloadable audio books accounted for 81.9m in sales in 2010 with physical audio books bringing in 137.3m. And this doesn’t include all those teens attached to their listening devices! Is there a market for audio books? You betcha! Would you like to get in on it?
If you contract with a traditional publisher your agent can make all the arrangements; indie, small-press or self-published authors listen-up.You will need:
A quiet place to record
A good quality studio microphone (sometimes called a pod-casting mic)
Audio recording and editing software
Someplace to market your audio book
Software for recording, editing and converting audio files is available via download and there are several choices. Two of the most popular are Audacity and WavePad. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing, it is updated often and you can choose from “stable” versions or Beta versions. WavePad offers both free versions and professional versions. Depending on your computer system and the desired result you might choose to use more than one editing program.
Once your audio file is ready it will need to be available for purchase.
Digital Content Center and
PayLoadz offer file storage, automated delivery, shopping carts with multiple payment options.
CDBaby works with both digital downloads and physical CDs. They handle distribution and sales to Amazon, iTunes, and other outlets. (Note: iTunes has exclusive agreement with Audible.com and will pull anything labeled “audio book” that isn’t through Audible).
Will offering audio books suddenly make you rich? Not likely, but you’ll gain exposure to readers who may not stumble upon you otherwise. Not every novel is available in audio format, but audio lovers scour over all the novels offered. If they like the audio chances are they will purchase the book, or eBook, and recommend your book to family and friends.
By Robyn Chausse
Thank you to Scott Swift of darktimetales for sharing his experience.
By:
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on 7/21/2011
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Yesterday I taught a teen writing workshop at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ. As I told the teens…
An intriguing question, and the kind of thing a lot of us writers are too afraid to confront.
But man up/woman up! (Writer up!) Read this and consider what’s true for you.
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Long, long ago, back when I’d been rewriting the same novel for EIGHT YEARS, I took a class from bestselling and award-winning writers Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
And when they talked about writing multiple books a year–sometimes four books a year, sometimes double that–the scales fell from my eyes. No one had ever told me you could write more than one book a year, or that you could stop endlessly reworking the one novel you had and move on to something else.
I was cured. And thereafter became a happy writer.
Since then I’ve found my own personal pace and figured out how many novels my body and my brain like me to write every year. I’m not going to tell you, because as Dean says in this wonderful post about finding your own speed, people sometimes get mad when you talk about your method and your output, and it’s best to keep it to yourself.
If you’re currently stuck in the endless whirlpool of rewriting your one book, I encourage you to try the same experiment I did when I got home from that seminar: Just sit down and write a novel (or a short story, or whatever your favorite medium is) from start to finish, no stopping to rewrite those first three chapters again and again, and just see how quickly you can do it. For me that first time it was five weeks for a complete novel. I know a lot of people love to participate in NaNoWriMo every November because they have to finish a novel in one month.
Find your pace, but first be willing to see that it could be much, much faster than what you’ve always thought. Writing is fun. Fast writing is SUPERfun.
Onward!
Technorati Tags: Advice for Writers, Authors, Dean Wesley Smith, Kris Rusch, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Novel Writing, Novels, Publishing, Writing, Writing Advice, Writing Seminars, Writing Workshops
I found this through Passive Guy, and this post.
Here’s the full manifesto by Hugh MacLeod on how to be creative. A lot of gems in there–I think you’ll really enjoy it!
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By:
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on 5/26/2011
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So many writers are out there analyzing the various business ramifications of this New World of Publishing. I highly recommend you bookmark the blogs of Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and Passive Guy.
This latest post from Kristine Rusch answers a question on a lot of writers’ minds: What if I don’t want to go indie? What if I want to stick with (or try to get a new contract with) a traditional publisher?
Every writer’s needs are different, and what I love about this post is it gives the sticking-with-tradition people some ideas about what to look for in their current and future contracts. Read and learn!
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on 5/25/2011
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Oh, that Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch, always thinking, those two.
Thank goodness, because this one’s a doozy.
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I’m loving this series from ex-lawyer Passive Guy, talking about how to read and understand publishing contracts.
Read his latest installment, then do yourself a favor and catch up on all the previous ones! Excellent education.
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on 4/7/2011
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It’s a new world, and the old rules are rapidly falling away. This latest post by bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch is so timely and succinct–well, just read it and you’ll see!
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From best-selling writers turning down traditional publishing deals and going indie, to best-selling indie writers going traditional, to copyright rulings and other business issues that affect all us writers–
Here’s a great recap from best-selling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch of what’s been going on, and what it might all mean. Read and learn and enjoy!
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This is SO true. So many times, I, myself, as an avid writer have difficulty with wanting to ‘perfect’ many areas in my manuscripts. Even once your work is published, it’s too often that the author still doesn’t like how it’s written. The thing with writing is that it can always be altered.
True, K.L. I read about some painter, either Manet or Monet, who used to go to where his paintings were hanging in a museum and bring along a paintbrush to still make little changes. WALK AWAY, SIR. It can be crazy-making.