I’ve already mentioned how I like to use Google Drive for writing the chapters of my book. I can think of three good reasons why (or four): Continue reading “What’s another word for…?”
Author: Vincento
Beats, Tags and White Space
As an aspiring author, I’ve read several books on the art and craft of writing. They confused me. I didn’t even understand the terminology, let alone the principles they advocated.
There’s nothing better than jumping in the deep end and getting feedback from more experienced authors. My hesitant attempts at posting individual chapters of my book for others to critique, have taught me a lot. Continue reading “Beats, Tags and White Space”
Serious Criticism
Every author stresses how important revision is. The trouble is, one easily overlooks one’s own weak points, omissions and errors. The solution sounds easy: Get a good Critique Partner for reciprocal manuscript correction.
But how? There aren’t that many budding English-speaking authors in Oberlunkhofen! Continue reading “Serious Criticism”
Dreaming of the big wide world
I doubt that Silvanus saw many motor boats from his hillside home on Elba. But he certainly watched the birds and shipping. And dreamed of adventure in the big, wide world.
Where (on earth) am I?
“Look around where you are right now. Describe this setting – but do so in the words your viewpoint character would use.” This was the exercise I was set in the book I’m currently reading. So I tried, in the words and from the point of view of a 6th century peasant boy from Elba! Continue reading “Where (on earth) am I?”
Another great tool for authors!
Don’t you sometimes make a major change to a chapter – delete a whole section and 
rearrange the sequence of events – only to have a nagging thought that perhaps that wasn’t such a good idea and in a week or two you’ll want to revert to the old version? Continue reading “Another great tool for authors!”
Of Gods and Demons
I woke up the othe
r morning to find this little fellow threatening me with his lightsaber! I had thought he was a wee harmless angel, who just sat there, minding his own business. Had he come to life? What made him so unfriendly, all of a sudden? Or was it, perhaps just me, imagining things? Continue reading “Of Gods and Demons”
Why is book-writing like renovating a patio?
I took a week off work to write my book… and to renovate the patio. The latter won.
I won’t say I made no progress at all on the book, but it was minor. Instead, I set to work planning the garden job, clearing the area, ripping up worn-out paving stones, relocating ants’ nests, tearing out weeds, buying requisites and hiring a van to take them home, asking permission to unload on the neighbour’s drive, to avoid having to carry the heavy stuff up the steps, and persuading my son and daughter-in-law to help.
Continue reading “Why is book-writing like renovating a patio?”
Extremely useful authoring tool
Among many interesting bits and bites, the December 2012 issue of The Woolf plugged the personal writing editor and coach Pro Writing Aid. Perhaps you all know and use it already.
I tried out the free online version and very soon subscribed to the premium edition, which, among other things, builds the proofing features right into the WordPress editor, so one doesn’t have to copy large chunks of text back and forth. An incredible boon for bloggers! Continue reading “Extremely useful authoring tool”
Discovering who I’m not
As a would-be writer, I, of course, also do a fair amount of reading. 
One lesson I’ve learned is that a novel is far more enticing to read than any text-book, philosophical monograph, or non-fiction treatise. I read in the bus and train on my way to work. Continue reading “Discovering who I’m not”