Words Not Pages

I frequently hear from writers who are interested in a manuscript review or editing services, or who want to pitch an agent or publisher, and they tell me their book is 200 or 425 or howevermany pages long. When I’m feeling indulgent and patient, I’ll spend some time explaining why I don’t care how many pages their manuscript is – and why they shouldn’t, either. What counts is the number of words in the manuscript,...

Literary – June 27

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,— When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core…. -Paul Laurence Dunbar, born this date in 1872. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist tries to persuade someone caging your protag that the cage exists even though the...

Big Questions – June 27

Do you envy your most uninhibited friend? Journaling prompt: Spend 15-20 minutes writing your answer in the spirit of exploring yourself and the world around you. If you can answer with a simple “yes” or “no,” explain the sources or implications of your response. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene that forces a character in your story to answer the question, or spend 15-20 minutes answering the question in the...

Journaling + Fiction – June 27

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”Emily Brontë Journal prompt: Spend at least 20 minutes writing about the first time you encountered a soulmate. Fiction writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist is betrayed by the person your protagonist believes to be his/her soulmate.

Romance – June 27

“The most unpardonable sin in society is independence of thought.” -Emma Goldman, born this date in 1869. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist’s independence from people s/he cares for and respects earns their criticism and ostracism.

Mystery – June 27

On this date in 1940, the German military began communicating in code using its Enigma machines to encrypt messages. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist becomes responsible for preventing a crime using only an encoded message between the conspirators.

SciFi/Fantasy – June 27

“The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o’clock.” Shirley Jackson’s lottery takes place on this date. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist finds him/herself the subject of a normal-seeming ritual that turns out unexpectedly.

Literary – June 26

“Every great mistake has a halfway moment, a split second when it can be recalled and perhaps remedied.” -Pearl S. Buck, born this date in 1892. Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist knows that halfway moment is in her/his grasp but fails to seize it.