How to write well

Serial monogamy: don’t be married to your first novel. Be married to the first, second and third.   ********* Question: Why my story was rejected? A short answer: your story wasn’t rejected because it was bad, but because other stories were better. A longer answer: your story wasn’t rejected because it was bad, but because…

You’re not a Real Writer until the day you realize that a rejection doesn’t mean your story is bad but: 1. Another story is better 2. The editorial assistant partied the night before 3. The pub took all the stories they needed 4. You didn’t follow the guidelines 5. Your story is too good for…

Nothing lasts longer then a good last line of a novel.

Rejections. An editor’s perspective Some editors say that is not worth it to give personal rejections. Of course if you reply to a submission with the words like “your ending needs work,” that would open a rat’s nest of arguments and maybe give the writer false expectations. But that’s how one editor replied to me:…

A very faithful adaptation. The actors are practically 19th century Russians. Pierre Bezukhov is an earnest puppy walking on his hind legs.

Yesterday, day 1 of the 1st vaccine shot (Moderna). No symptoms. I wondered if they even did it since I turned away, and the shot was painless. I took off the Band-Aid and it had blood on it. Was it-pre-blooded? Today, Day 2. Body ache, redness on the arm and chills. They really did it.