Where I've Been (and Links to Prove it!)

As you may have noticed, I've been rather silent for the past, oh, around 1 1/2 months? So, some explanations are in order.

Photo Credit

Firstly, I know several of you have commented on the fact that I stopped Camp NaNoWriMo last month. This is because we went on a vacation for a week and I was thrown off track by shiny other projects (non-writing) I've been meaning to get done. In my defense, I did and still have been plugging away at writing the new plot-line featuring the 2nd POV of Lia, but at a very slow pace. The point is that I never ground to a complete stop. However the initial torrent of Camp turned into a trickle.

Secondly, there will be a new feature appearing on this blog on a monthly basis. The first appearance will be late in August. More on this in a later post.

Thirdly, another feature! Maybe. This one might be a weekly/bi-monthly blog serial...Once again, more info later. Stay tuned!

And now onto the links! I've still continued to read and collect links in the meantime so here's a list:

Patricia C. Wrede on whether or not to preach in one's writing.

Rayne Hall lists 13 mistakes writers make in fight scenes.

Query Tracker's Ash Krafton gives tips to conquer cliches and how to use writing contests to improve one's game.

Inkpunk's Andrew Romine tells how he applied gesture drawing to writing to capture the essence of ideas.

John Yeoman reveals the secrets of Kathy Reich's excellent writing.

Do short stories have a higher payout than novels in the long run?

David Sims guests posts a series on structure featuring the heroic journey (20 posts in the series to date).

When should one kill their story darlings? Natalie J. Damschroder helps unravel the how and when.

K M Weiland lists the top 25 ways to blow a book and suggestions for fixing and avoiding the problems.

How does one define success as a writer? (with a Weird Al Yankovic illustration!)

And finally, a cute (but relevant) poem going around on tumblr: I Once Dated a Writer and

Until next time!