Blog
Deep Genre: The Serious Writer’s Mission
(Image: bestselling author John le Carré) Why Genre Matters I sometimes hear emerging writers say, “My book doesn’t fall into a genre. It’s a literary novel.” But is it? Often what they mean is that, naturally, they want their story to be thought of as serious....
What Makes a Killer Mystery? Here’s a 5-Point Checklist.
Are you writing a mystery novel? Or thinking about it? If so, my checklist below might help you. I’m at work on a mystery myself. My previous books have been historical novels and thrillers, including my latest release, The Man From Spirit Creek, but this is my first...
This Rejection Made Me Want To Give Up Writing. Then Everything Changed.
The Doubt Demon Do you battle the doubt demon? That scary inner voice that whispers, “What makes you think you can make it as a writer?” I know exactly how you feel. In my career as an author, I've faced every doubt demon you're facing now. Let me tell you a...
What’s Your “North Star” Word?
Painting: Holiday North Star by Gretchen Kelley Happy 2020! At the close of every year my daughter Sara chooses a word to represent how she wants to navigate the upcoming year. One word to be her “North Star” for her business and her life. For example, one year she...
You Know You’re a Writer When . . .
Does that Thomas Mann quote have you nodding with a wry smile? Me too. We get it. It’s serious work, being a writer – because we care. We have to tap into heart and soul to create our best work. So, writers are a special breed. Here are 5 tell-tale signs. Introvert or...
Your Personal Mentor
Would you love to have an expert mentor help you grow as a writer and really succeed? Here's your chance! Join the fall session of my PageTurner Master Classes. Registration is now open for this online 10-week program that starts on September 19th. No longer will you...
The 3 “A”s That Publishers Look For
The question that keeps emerging writers up at night is this: What do publishers really want? In my career as an author I've faced every challenge you're facing. Having had ten novels published with sales of over half a million books, I know what agents and publishers...
Mark Twain Knew This Secret About Writing
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain That’s great advice from a great writer. It shatters the hoary...
“Literary” or “Popular”: Which Kind of Writer Are You?
(painting: Olga Rykova) I'm often asked: What categorizes a novel as either "literary" or "popular"? What’s the difference? Popular novels usually fall into a half-dozen categories called genres: romance, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Of...
What Drives Your Story: Characters or Plot?
The Plot / Character Debate Have you ever noticed how critics will sometimes categorize a novel as either “plot driven” or “character driven"? If that's got you puzzled about how it applies to the story you're writing, I can understand why. They make it sound like you...
Barbara Kyle is represented by:
Albert Zuckerman
Writers House
21 West 26 Street
New York, NY, 10010
azuckerman@writershouse.com