humor – The Debutante Ball

Writing Advice from Three Fictional White Guys

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Want to succeed in writing? Look for help from the older fictional white guys you see in movies. Advice #1 arrives from Albus Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame. Dumbledore has zillions of inspirational one-liners, but my favorite comes from The Chamber of Secrets: “It is our choices, Harry,” he says, “that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” The writing connection? In my experience, writing books…

When 3 Pages of Acknowledgments Are Not Enough

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Somehow I went from “let’s see if I can write a book” to a full-time author whose debut is publishing in 10 short weeks. I’m insanely grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. In fact, I wrote 800 words’ worth of acknowledgments for Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes. I’m pretty sure three pages is longer than standard for an acknowledgments section, but it turns out, I still haven’t exhausted my thank-yous. Here…

When Kimmery Gets Distracted

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

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Today’s topic is Writing Through Distraction, which I feel eminently qualified to discuss because my God, it is freakishly cold in here. I think my hand just fell off. Where did I put those fingerless gloves and the little ski-package hand warmer thingies? The key to writing through the inevitable maelstrom of carnage that will occur as you are trying to finish your assignment is holy smoke! Modern Mrs….

The Bio I Wish I Had…Or Do I?

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

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Bios we wish we had are all about regrets and unfulfilled ambitions. Luckily, I have plenty of both. It turns out, I do regret the things I didn’t do more than the things I did—mostly. Here are a few things I’d love to add to my bio: Lara Lillibridge was brave enough to go with the stepsister she had never met on a burro-trip through the Grand Canyon when…

Pro-Tips: How To Name Your Characters

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

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Are you struggling to come up with cool, original names for your characters? Here are some solutions. If you’re writing about your family members and you don’t want them to know, switch their names around. For example, if you have a husband named David and a dog named Tucker, reverse them. Have a toxic ex-boyfriend in your life? Cleanse yourself by naming the worst person in the entire fictional universe…

“Three-ways are complicated” and other expert advice on dialogue

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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Calling Debut Authors! Now Accepting Applications for the 2018 Debutante Ball! Read this post to learn more. Hurry! THE DEADLINE IS JULY 28! The paperback edition of SMALL ADMISSIONS releases today, and I have been thinking a lot about what I’ve learned as a writer this year. Like, how have I grown and improved? In particular, I’ve been giving the art of dialogue a lot of thought, asking myself, “How…

It’s your LAUNCH PARTY. Don’t fuck it up.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

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Amy’s Launch Party Dos and Don’ts Notify the bookstore in advance that you’re planning to have your launch there. They tend to be real party-poopers when you just show up with a margarita machine,a fajita grill, and a Mariachi band. Don’t go to someone else’s launch expecting to be able to co-host it. That writer may be a diva who insists on being the center of attention; some authors…

Making Tons of Money Writing Fiction? Or “The Case of the Missing Advance”

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

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CAST OF CHARACTERS Scott: An accountant. Hair parted neatly to one side, slightly awkward, mid-thirties, three-piece suit. Anne: A writer. Early fifties, wearing cute jeans and a jacket, an expensive but worn handbag. Her roots need attention. Scott sits at a desk in his generic office. Anne knocks on the door. Anne: Hello? Scott: Hi, Anne? Nice to meet you. Come in, please. Anne: Thanks for seeing me. …

Senior Year Sick Notes

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

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As part of our week on “character spin-offs,” I’m sharing an epistolary piece on parenting a high school senior. (Been there, done that. Two times.) Enjoy! 9/9 Dear Ms. Tissler, I hope you had a terrific summer! Just wanted to let you know that Nick is missing school for the next 3 days. We’re heading to the west coast for college visits! Too far away, but I’ll let him look….

Time for Spring… and the Deb Ball News Flash!

Sunday, April 2, 2017

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Congratulations to Nancy Harris, winner of our #DebBallGiveaway of FOLLOW ME DOWN by Sherri Smith. News from the 2017 Debs Tiffany D. Jackson is writing, writing, writing! Crystal King has lost her voice due to illness and is rather annoyed that Alexa won’t turn on the lights for her because it can’t hear/understand her. But this means she won’t be sick for her book launch on April 25, right? Amy Poeppel was thrilled to get…

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