by Web Editor | Feb 23, 2023 | Speaker, Writing
When your characters stop talking to you and start talking to each other, your writing is going well. When a subplot neatly links back into the main narrative in a way you couldn’t anticipate, your writing is under the masterful control of the muse. And when a...
by Web Editor | Jan 30, 2023 | Event, Speaker, Writing
How does a columnist survive? Join your fellow writers at our next SBW gathering and hear how Sal Pizarro meets his deadlines. About: Sal has written the Around Town column for the Mercury News since 2005. His column covers the interesting people, places, and...
by Web Editor | Oct 23, 2022 | Speaker, Writing
Nothing hooks a reader like a masterfully written mystery. Anthony Horowitz has observed, “As far as I’m concerned, you can’t beat a good whodunnit: the twists and turns, the clues and the red herrings and then, finally, the satisfaction of having everything...
by Web Editor | Sep 28, 2022 | Event, Speaker, Writing
Hollywood has portrayed Mozart as a creative freak who dashed off perfect first drafts. This is a myth. His compositions underwent extensive revisions prior to performances. As Orison Swett Marden points out, “Great writers have ever been known for their tenacity of...
by Web Editor | Aug 26, 2022 | Speaker, Writing
A short story is the epitome of literary economy. Less is more. Edgar Allen Poe once wrote, “A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it.” No room for fluff or filler. Just pure narrative propulsion that packs a punch. Neil Gaiman...
by Web Editor | Jul 21, 2022 | Event, Speaker, Uncategorized, Writing
Your odds of successful publication can improve considerably if your novel is conceived as (or has the potential to work as) a series. This is no surprise to anyone who enjoys settling down with a new book in a series they know and love. It’s an easy purchase...
