Saturday, November 19, 2016

Who Doesn't Like a Free Read?

Sign up for the Candace Carrabus Books newsletter and you'll get a new free short story or book excerpt in your inbox each month. You'll get stories by Candace Carrabus and others. Some you'll like, some you won't, but you will meet new authors and perhaps find your new favorite.



Get on the list now to read Gwyneth's Christmas by Nicky Charles. 

Next week, you'll receive Round 1 of Cold Backed, a new Dream Horse Mystery short exclusive to newsletter subscribers.


Thursday, November 3, 2016

Trash or Dream--You Decide

"Should I throw this out?" a woman asked me, clutching her manuscript pages.

The encounter took place at a writer's retreat where I taught a class a couple of weeks ago. During my class "Fixing the Broken Story," I offered to look over any pages the participants had doubts about, and this woman took me up on it. After the edit, red pen marks dotted the half dozen pages, though I'd given a positive comment when I could. The disappointment on her face confirmed she'd expected glowing reviews, and I wanted to oblige, but false praise wouldn't have helped her.

"Don't do that," I said--and meant it. I went on to explain that if she were willing to learn the craft, apply techniques, and take constructive feedback, she'd grow as a writer.

The truth of the matter is without the "if" part of the equation, her chances are slim. But with some literary elbow grease and a sincere desire to learn, I believe all things are possible. Call me an optimist, but I've seen it happen enough times to make a believer out of me.

I left her with one final piece of advice: "Don't give up on your dream!"

And I meant that, too.