Midweek Miscellanea - Quiet Books, a Contest, and a Craft Project

Over at Writer Unboxed, Robin Lafevers has written a wonderful post - Some Thoughts on Quiet Books, Timing and the Ever Elusive Market:

"So this conversation we’re having is not about selling out your artistic vision to get a contract. Nor is it about watering down your artistic integrity in order to find readers. It’s about finding the largest, widest doorway into your story so that you can to draw in as many readers as possible, and then tell them exactly the core story you’re driven to tell."

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For all you flash fiction writers out there, mark your calendars for Flash Fiction Chronicles' String-of-10 SEVEN Flash Fiction Contest starting February 8th. Use the randomly selected string of words and write your best 250 words or fewer story. The contest runs for one week only so on your mark . . . get set . . . . 

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For the artsy and crafty among us, check out DIY By The Book: Lighted Book Boxes. Speaking as someone who has trouble working a simple glue gun, I wish you good luck!

Midweek Miscellanea - Madness, Breakthrough Books, and Snacks

I'm a huge fan of YA author Mindy McGinnis. I absolutely loved Not a Drop to Drink, and I enjoyed its companion novel, In a Handful of Dust, so I was thrilled to see she has a new stand alone novel - A Madness so Discreet - coming out in October 2015. Can't. Wait.

Also, check out this post - Blogging for Writers - where she talks about why she blogs and how she uses social media.  

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This post - What Age Did the Greatest Authors Publish Their Most Famous Works - will probably make you either laugh or cry, depending on how old you are when you read it. I focused on all the authors who were in the 40s or older when their "breakthrough book" hit the stands. Made me feel better. A little.  

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Do you snack while you write? I'll occasionally munch on dark chocolate covered powerberries or espresso beans (both from Trader Joe's.) Check out what some famous authors enjoy eating while working - 9 Famous Authors' Favorite Workday Snacks. I'm all for cheesecake but raw eggs in coffee? Not so much.