Oh those pesky commas...

I know that I find myself comma happy on some days and comma shy on other days.

From the New York Times The Most Common Comma Mistakes

Thinking of Self-Publishing?

If you're confused about what platform to use or how to go about e- publishing then thus link might give you some answers.

Jane Friedman always has a plethora of information that's helpful:

Best Informational Resources
on e-publishing

A Number of Wrinkles

An intriguing article from Richard Gilbert's blog Narrative about writing

A memoir

"So . . . there’s something specifically hard about memoir that has to do with the closeness of the writer to her material, which is an aspect of herself"--Richard Gilbert

Where Do You Get Your Books?

From Flavorwire via a post on Mystery Fanfare.

Bookmobiles Around the World

Where Will You Put Your Books?

There's a blog for everything. January listed this unique blog--
Bookshelves

The entire site features unique bookcases!

On Plotting and Characters

This interview appeared on Mystery Fanfare

Rosamund Upton

The plotting - that hard brain-aching part, is simply the first stage. It’s a cerebral, intellectual thing that results solely in a map. Then comes the real writing of the book, driven and inspired by the characters.

It's a good interview with an author who has a number of interesting things to say about the process of writing

A Month of Poetry

It's been thirty days and thirty poems. A workout.

If you want to read all thirty check out Marginalia

Try Blogging for a Month

 

The prompts this month are based on the word play. Just go to BlogHer for more information.

 
Writing every day is a way to find a rhythm.

Have You Thought of Writing a Mystery?

People are intrigued with a mystery that has a particular setting -- especially if the details of the setting are akin to being in that place.

Here's a list from Mystery Readers International
Mysteries Set in France

The setting often becomes another character in the story.

Looking for Prompts

For this month's poetry challenge I've been Velcroed to the poetry prompts on Poetic Asides. Often I'll read the prompt in the morning and think—I cannot be motivated by these words. Even when all appears nonsensical and nothing jells I stay with the prompt.

By the time I sit down to write I find that I do have something to say—often surprising. The prompts jolt me out of my usual place and make me wrestle with words and thoughts. It is all worth the effort.

Some people find visual images act as inspiration. Heres a link to 100 Superstars of Southern Art

If you do write something please send it to me.

Writers are Readers

A Novel Bookstore

Do you have a favorite bookstore?

Here's to Poets

April is National Poetry Month

 

this is just a reminder...

 

Write a Poem

Margo Roby's Blog Post Friday Poetry Links will get you ready for Poetry Month.

April is Poetry Month

Jump in and write a poem every day to celebrate Poetry Month.

Guidelines for the PAD Challenge from Poetic Asides

Or Sign up and receive A Poem a Day

Let me know if you're going to jump in and accept the challenge. It's great fun.

Dickens Loved to Coin New Words

From a post on The Oxford Dictionary blog:

Where Did That Word Come From?

It's hard to believe that Dickens was born 200 years ago --February 7, 1812. His birth name: Charles John Huffman Dickens.

"Claire Tomalin, who wrote a biography of the novelist, wonders what he would make of the 21st century."
A Letter To Charles Dickens on His 200th Birthday

Another Opinion

If you've following the rhetoric occasioned by John D'Agata's loose interpretation of factual reporting you might be interested in this article.

Richard Gilbert's take on the John D'Agata book and his use or misuse of facts.

Writing at a Cafe.

Many of you know that I throughly enjoy writing in coffee houses—especially The Beans where I even have a preferred table.

So when I found this article about Mavis Gallant's writing habits, I thought that there might be other coffee house scriveners out there, as well as people who only drink a beverage in a coffee house, who might enjoy this article.

From Geist Magazine Writing at Picasso's Table

What do Poets Think?

From Harriet's Blog on Poetry Foundation—
Poets on Politics

"...the Poetry Society of America, the nation’s oldest poetry organization, will launch Red, White, & Blue: Poets on Politics, a national series that explores the role of politics in the literary landscape today. The series will kick off with its first event in Los Angeles on March 13th at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles followed by public programs across four cities, and including online features, interviews, and more. The series concludes Oct. 29th in Washington D.C. at the Folger Shakespeare Library days before Election Day."

100 Best Non-Fiction Books

This list appeared in Narrative Magazine 100 Best Nonfiction Books

Of course all lists depend upon the person creating the list. In this case the creator—Richard Gilbert, editor of Narrative magazine.

Any books you'd add to the list? Or create your own list.

My own list would look quite different Richard Gilbert's list.