Holy $#Q#*$, I don’t know how I managed to miss this book (How Not to Write a Novel) when it was first published, but I picked it up at Anam Cara while I was there and couldn’t put it down. The main reason I picked it up is that the other people reading it were laughing their heads off. Then there was a fight over who was going to get to read it next. Don’t you wish you’d written a book everybody fights over?

It’s so entertaining, and did I mention funny, and yet, educational. I defy any aspiring novelist out there to read it without finding any of his or her own insidious habits described.

I liked this book so much, I bought several copies which will be on sale at WriterHouse. Or click on the link above and purchase it from our bookstore. Run, don’t walk, to buy this book.

Seems like a lot of lit journals take summer breaks (not that i blame them), but it does make it hard for me to stay motivated to keep submitting. The American short fiction blog has a short list of journals that are accepting summer submissions. So take a look: http://www.americanshortfiction.org/blog/?p=794

And now, unfortunately, we have no excuse.

As a new writer, I’m always looking for the perfect on-line resource.  There’s so much material to sift through, and the information can be overwhelming.  I’ve tried for several years to glean what I need from Writer’s Market, but the colossus defies both my will and spreadsheet capabilities.

Thankfully, more experienced writers tend to be willing to share their resources.  One of my favorites, the gem of a former writing teacher, is NewPages.com.  It has a wonderful index (under “Writer Sources” on the left-side navigation bar) that lists magazine and book contests, calls for submissions, creative writing programs, writing conferences, and a young author’s guide.

The entries (particularly those under “Contests”) are easy to digest, manage, and navigate.  Most of the pertinent information can be found directly beneath the magazine, journal, or book title, and the rest is just a left click away.

I’ve only begun to use NewPages, but it looks like there’s no end to its usefulness.  Does anyone else have suggestions?

Anam Cara front entrance

Day three of our stay at the Anam Cara Writers’ and Artists’ Retreat in southwest Ireland. Yesterday (Saturday) was our first full day, and there were torrential rains, so we didn’t get outside during the day. And you know how drowsy you get when it’s rainy and gloomy outside? Combine that with jet lag, and let’s just say it wasn’t our most productive writing day ever.

In the evening we went into the village of Eyeries to Causkey’s Pub to hear a traditional Irish band from…(wait for it…) Belgium. Interesting to hear familiar songs with a Flemish accent.

Christy on the Strand

This morning, Christy and I got in a solid couple of hours of writing and then took what we thought would be a short walk to the strand. We filled our pockets with rocks, but don’t worry, we didn’t jump in the river. Three hours later, we’re back and ready to get to work until dinner. Well, I’ll be working as soon as I finish this blog post.

I’ve finished rereading and marking up my NaNoWriMo novel and am about to begin editing. Christy’s been working on a new rewrite of her novel. There are four other guests here, but during the day it’s strictly quiet. There are lots of different rooms to work in, shelves of books, coffee and tea (does this sound like our little oasis at WriterHouse?) We all eat meals together and the rest of the time is for quiet contemplation and writing.

I have an idea for a short story which I hope to work on in the next few days. I also have the beginning of an idea for an essay. It’s supposed to rain again tomorrow, so we’ll be stuck indoors. Many hours to write.

We’re inspired to set up a WriterHouse retreat sometime soon. Post your ideas here in the comments section.

Have you gone on a writing retreat? Even in a tent in your backyard? Send your photos and accounts of your experiences.

i often wonder why i keep writing, since at times it feels more like an unhealthy addiction in my life. one that consumes me—keeps my bathroom dirty (well, that would problem happen anyway) and other things unlearned (like languages and cooking skills).

besides the fact that i must obviously think i have something to say, i definitely believe in the power of fiction. obviously, i’m not alone:

“…The best books do what no other art form can; that is, they make us inhabit the minds of other people. We may not like these peple sometimes, but we can’t help but gain a modicum of empathy if we see the world through the eyes of someone we don’t like.”

Read the whole blog post from author Darin Strauss:

tough-days-literary-fiction-darin-strauss