Writer's Digest - Writer's Digest February 2008

Writer's Digest February 2008

Item No. #WD0208

SPOTLIGHT: WRITE YOUR NOVEL

Baby Steps
by Bill O'Hanlon
Stop obsessing about writing a book. Instead, spend 15 minutes writing one page, five times a week for a year. PLUS: Blog your book.

Write from the Ground Up
by Jon Robertson Here's how to roll up your sleeves and pound out your novel—from blueprint to finish. PLUS: The building code for writing your novel.

Plotting a Novel Group
by Marie Lamba
The Rebel Writers revamped standard writers' group rules, allowing for better critiques. Here, one member shares her successful format.

Novel Revision for the Faint of Heart
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
You've finished writing your novel. Now comes the fun part. Here are 10 steps to fight your way through a relatively pain-free rewrite.

[FEATURES]

THE WD INTERVIEW: TESS GERRITSEN
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
The career of this chart-topping mystery novelist takes a new twist with her first historical murder mystery.

The Art of the Interview
by Mary Curran-Hackett
In a revealing roundtable discussion, read what former poet laureate Billy Collins, bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld and radio journalist Terry Gross have to say about interviews.

Your Perfect Match
by Mark Peters
Finding the right editor has some surprising similarities to dating online. In fact, pitching an editor can be a lot like pitching woo.

Burning Down the (Literary) House
by Maria Schneider
Brock Clarke's novel An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England takes a match to the memoir craze, questions the publishing establishment and gives a whole new meaning to hot publicity.

[COLUMNS]

Questions & Quandaries
by Brian A. Klems
Getting paid, the best time to query and "hone" vs. "home."

Ask the Pro: Indie Spirit
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
Rising up in the face of conventional wisdom, a fiction publishing house hits the stage.

First Impressions: Coming-out Party
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
A chick-lit writer finds marketing magic in a group blog for debut authors. PLUS: More notable debuts.

This Writer's Life: The Final Verse
by Kevin Alexander
As graduation nears, so does the impending reality that an MFA degree carries a lot of uncertainty.

On the Edge: Eco-Thrillers
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
With topics like global warming headlining our nightly news, the eco-thriller is heating up, scaring readers with a dose of "what if" reality. PLUS: Eco-thriller markets.

The Sentence Sleuth: Never Sit on a Thrown
by Bonnie Trenga
If you're not a comedy writer, don't accidentally write something funny.

Your Story: Making a Lot From a Little
by Marykate Schweiger
The winning entry of contest #8. PLUS: Contest #10 prompt.

The Conference Scene: The ASJA Writers Conference
by Linda Formichelli
Find nonfiction nirvana in New York City. PLUS: More great writing conferences.

Postscript: Labor or Leisure?
by Lauren Kessler
You can never really tell when a writer is working.

InkWell
FRESH IDEAS, TIPS, NEWS AND INSPIRATION FOR LIVING THE WRITING LIFE

The Quick Pitch
Reviews Get Thumbs Down
Writing Books by Women
From the Mouth of Tom Clancy
Stand Tall, Fellow Rejects!
Write in the Wild
The Pseudonym

Writer's Workbook
QUICK EXERCISES AND TIPS FOR WORKING ON SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF YOUR WRITING

Fiction: metaphors
Nonfiction: research, interview and follow-up
Poetry: haiku
Marketing: Op-Eds

PLUS:
CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR'S LETTER
READER MAIL