Author: Sarra Cannon

No one ever said that being a writer would be easy. For the most part, it’s a solitary task. It’s just you, all alone, sitting at a keyboard somewhere, trying to come up with an original story and unique characters who will draw people in and make them care. Since joining RWA and my local chapter, HCRW, I have found that there are valuable resources out there that can change everything. Through RWA I met two amazing critique partners that read everything I write and encourage me every step of the way. Of course, they also tear my writing apart…

Only six more days until I leave for fabulous Orlando and the RWA National Conference!!! I’m so excited! Of course, I’ve been working so hard on my pitch, my synopsis, and last-minute revisions on my novel that I sort of feel like my brain is fried. Hopefully, I will be able to UN-fry it by the time I leave so that I can actually get something useful out of the PRO retreat and all the amazing workshops throughout the week. Last year I learned so much, and I hope to make it to as many events this year as I…

Yippeee!!! My amazing husband and I have been working on my website for several weekends, trying to get it up and running before next week’s RWA National Conference. Last night, we launched the site! Now, before you click over to check it out, just keep in mind that G and I designed and put together this website all by ourselves! I designed the images in Photoshop and made a little drawing of where I wanted everything to go, then G did the html and put everything in place. I am so excited I could pee my pants! I hope you…

Last night I wrote the dreaded Synopsis, and survived! I really do hate writing a synopsis. I understand it as a necessary evil, but it’s just so darn difficult! Honestly, how are we supposed to condense a 400 page novel down to just 4 pages? It’s like cutting out a part of your own heart! Most submissions to contests, agents, and editors all require a synopsis. I can definitely see why it’s a valuable tool, but writing a synopsis feels like an entirely different skill from writing the actual novel. You have to stand back and see what your story’s…

There’s just something special about writing late at night. It could just be me, but once everyone in the house has gone to bed and it gets dark out and quiet, I slip into this zone. Like last night, for example. I’ve been struggling with getting this battle scene down, but last night I went over to one of my critique partner’s apartments (emergency critique session at 11 PM… don’t ask) and after we talked about her chapters, I set up my laptop and started writing. I only wrote for about an hour, but guess what? I wrote over 3,000…

There are all types of skills you have to learn in order to pursue being published. As if writing, say, A NOVEL, isn’t difficult enough, you also must learn how to write both a brief (4 page’ish) synopsis and a longer synopses (10-15 pages). It sounds easy enough, right? What’s 4 pages, really, compared to an entire novel? Yeah, you try slimming down your baby with all its plot twists and intricately carved out characterizations. It aint easy. And you know what’s even worse? Writing a pitch/query letter. Now that my novel is nearly complete and ready to start submitting…