Fellow scribes, check out this enlightening “Q & A” with author and writing teacher Mark David Gerson. He wrote The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write - and here, he shares a few writing tips.
First, here’s one of Gerson’s favorite life and writing quips:
“It is good to have an end to journey [...]

Okay, this list of the best holiday and other gifts for writers does not include books! Instead, it’s a round up of ideas for the writer in your life - whether you’re married to an unpublished poet or celebrating her 52nd week on the New York Times bestseller list!
First, a quip from William Zinsser:
“There’s not [...]

Stephen King’s book On Writing was really difficult for him to write - and the first half was difficult for me to read. Nevertheless, I’ve pulled seven writing quips and tips from his book - and I know there’s more!
First, a quip from the King of Horror:
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two [...]

Writing always poses challenges. Having a chronic illness, disability, or indeed any circumstances that makes us housebound, can make the writing life seem overwhelming. I took a year out to write, but badly injured my back at the very start. At first, I wanted to give up, but after careful thought I realized I could [...]

You need more than talent and good ideas to be a writer. To persevere after constant rejections and keep pitching into the editorial abyss, you need personality traits that go beyond talent and creativity. I’ve rounded up a few qualities of successful writers - and they apply to freelancers, hobbyists, bloggers, or published authors.
First, I gotta throw in a quip from Anne [...]

One of my friends - who is also a writer - asked what sacrifices I’ve made as a full-time freelance writer. My immediate reaction was, “Sacrifices? What sacrifices? I love writing - I’ve made no sacrifices! Are you insane??!!”
But I was wrong. There are sacrifices to a freelance writing career.
For instance, check out this poem [...]

If I could attend a writing conference (or a conference for entrepreneurs) every month, I’d be one happy woman! Here’s what I learned in my three days at the Surrey International Writer’s Conference in October, 2008.
First, a quip from best-selling author Mary Jo Putney: “Writers are introverted and insecure.”
I’m a little insulted by that. I [...]

New York Times bestseller Vicki Pettersson, who is working on her fourth book, spoke at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference about self-sabotage, goals and habits.
Outwardly, Pettersson looks like a writing success. But, like most writers, she struggles with motivation, time, and energy. She doesn’t feel totally successful…
“I just feel like I’m failing forward,” says Pettersson. [...]

Historical romance and fantasy novelist Mary Jo Putney spoke at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in British Columbia. Here are some of her best tips on writing, editing, and publishing.
First, a tantalizing quip from Putney:
“When your book comes out, there will be errors in the text,” she says.
Okay, this may not seem like a brilliant [...]

During my massage the other day, I realized that my massage therapist could only earn money while she was actually working. But the best way to get rich is to earn money on something(s) while you do other things. For a writer, this means people paying for your old articles and buying your past books while [...]