Balancing Act
~ By Mellanie Szereto I wrote this blog post several years ago, but the demands and commitments in my life have changed since then. My husband is thinking about retirement, our daughter has graduated from college (multiple times) and lives halfway across the country for her job, our autistic son has started college, my elderly father […]
October PANorama — Critiques and Beta-Readers
Dear Readers, It’s the last Friday of the month, which means that it’s time for one of our chapter PAN members (PAN stands for Published Authors Network, a professional designation within RWA open to members who reach a certain level of sales) to visit the blog to share some of their wisdom and expertise. This […]
Backstory vs. Exposition
~ By Mellanie Szereto A lot of agents and editors comment about submissions they’ve rejected because the author either opened with page after page of backstory and no action or had a great opening action scene followed by pages of backstory. Some of the contest entries I’ve judged have had similar issues. How much Backstory is […]
About Characterization. . .
~ By Mellanie Szereto I love stories with three-dimensional characters, both main and secondary. They draw me into the story, and I’m invested in their journeys. What makes a fully developed character? Characterization. Yes, the reader should have a general idea of the character’s physical traits, but I don’t necessarily mean a specific height, weight, eye […]
Writer’s Block
~ By Mellanie Szereto What happens when an author’s creativity slows to a tickle or stops altogether? Besides PANIC, Writer’s Block is the most common term for the condition. What are the causes? What’s the cure? Lots of issues can lead to writer’s block, but one of the most frequent causes is burnout. Authors tend to […]
RWA Conference Bootcamp
~ By Mellanie Szereto Attending the RWA National Conference for the first time is a bit scary and overwhelming, but some planning and research can go a long way in easing those butterflies, especially for those who have never attended a professional conference. Take a deep breath and read on to find out what to expect! […]
July PANorama – Fear of Failure…and Success
Dear Readers, It’s the last Sunday of the month, which means that it’s time for one of our chapter PAN members (PAN stands for Published Authors Network, a professional designation within RWA open to members who reach a certain level of sales) to visit the blog to share some of their wisdom and expertise. This […]
Choosing the Right Publishing Path
~ By Mellanie Szereto Choosing the right publishing path can be a daunting decision for both new and experienced authors, but having good information about each option can make the decision easier. As with many aspects of writing, no single path works for everyone. Time, resources, abilities, and personal experiences will affect choices. Let’s start […]
