~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. When I was a fourteen-year-old high school freshman in the 1980’s, my English lit teacher had the audacity to foist a supposedly romantic novel on our class. The story took place in Regency England and was considered a “classic,” which I figured was literary shorthand for […]
Austen’s Universal Appeal Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. In the past 13 years, ever since I started writing fiction with the intent to publish, I’ve had a lot of critiquing experiences. Some inspiring and encouraging, even while being instructive in regards to narrative flaws. Others intentionally cruel and providing very little of value, even in supposedly
The First Writing Critique Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. Dear Aspiring Writer: A recent conversation I had with a multi-published novelist friend made me think of you…and how difficult, stressful and frequently frustrating it is to break into this “challenging” (read: “OMG, it’s so chaotic and insane…why do we DO this to ourselves?!”) industry. How
My Five Gifts to Aspiring Writers Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. Writing a novel is such an emotionally intense and mentally involving task that, much of the time, we writers are so caught up in juggling the details of story structure and craft that we lose focus on the ultimate big picture: Why are we writing this
Do We Need to Explain Why We Write? Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. Because February is the Month of Love, after all, I thought I would talk about something related to it. Something I have been thinking about a lot recently… Since I am a writer who enjoys shifting between genres, I have found it interesting that I
~ By Marilyn Brant This article originally appeared here. Not to state the obvious or anything, but writing takes courage. Sure, there are all the usual reasons: *Because we get scores of rejections on the way to publication — from agents, from editors, from just about anyone who so much as glances at the manuscript. *Because
The Courage to Write…or Not Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. There are downsides to the writing life. Ask any professional writer and you’ll get a chorus of groans about the MANY, MANY rejections, the years it takes to learn the craft (and the need to keep learning new narrative skills no matter how many eons you’ve been
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. About a month ago, I read a fabulous piece on “how to craft a great voice” written by literary agent Nathan Bransford on his blog. Writers, if you haven’t seen this, you’ll want to check it out. Really. It’s one of the best explanations I’ve ever read,
For the Love of Voice Read More »
~ By Marilyn Brant Note: This post originally appeared here. There are dozens of reasons why I love to travel. The sensation of being en route somewhere. Of simply moving from one place to another. The fun of seeing sites in person that I’d only read about. Of tasting foods that are new to me, more unusual
Travel: A Master Class on Viewpoint Read More »
~ Interview By Melina Kantor We’re thrilled to have Marilyn Brant, award-winning author of According to Jane and Friday Mornings at Nine, visiting us today. I first met Marilyn over three years ago at the RWA Conference in San Francisco. It was my first conference, and I’d just finished my very first novel. Being surrounded
An Interview With Marilyn Brant Read More »
