• Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing

    The Voice Started

    A Great Writer Show… I have said this for years, and I will say it again. You want to learn about what it takes to be a fiction writer, a long-term professional fiction writer, watch The Voice. It will not only have some great artist advice, but you will understand the amount of drive and sacrifice you have to give to make it in an international art. Listen to the stories, listen as the season goes on what it is taking for the artists to be there. Ask yourself if you could give up that much, push that hard, take the risks. There is also great music and fun humor.…

  • On Writing,  publishing,  Recommended Reading

    The Voice Started Tonight

    Here we go again… One of the best learning experiences for writers is starting up again. Over the coming weeks I’ll talk about things the coaches say about the art and craft. It all applies to writing in so many ways and on so many levels. But one thing that started to shine through tonight is the work ethic of those trying to get on the show. I only got to watch the first half of the first night. But already great stuff. Also, how the artists have to put themselves into the work. In an hour that was said over and over. Free learning about art and craft and…

  • On Writing,  publishing

    Artistic Choice and The Voice Finals

    ARTISTIC CHOICE AND THE VOICE… In case you missed The Voice finals tonight, you should really find it and watch it. Some amazing music. And great interviews. Completely entertaining. But as you are watching it, put on your writer hat. Not your creative hat, but the hat that observes and sees patterns. Over and over and over again the three judges with artists left praised how their artists were original, not like anyone else in the world. The judges kept saying that their artists were doing their own things, had their own way of approaching music. It was a mantra and clearly the most important thing to the judges. They kept…