Spring is in the air! And with the new season comes a new book. You might know that I recently moved to Tucson, and I experienced an ungodly delay of several weeks in getting connected to the Internet in the new Martian headquarters. I used that time to edit a collection of essays about what I learned as the leader of a writers’ workshop—a workshop I founded in February 2017 and which succeeded beyond my imagination. Before I left Phoenix, I passed the leadership torch to someone I knew would take excellent care of my baby, and I am happy to say that the group remains alive and well.
Over the years, I wrote about workshopping with other authors and the journey of improving as a writer. The result is the Kindle ebook My Life as an Armadillo: Essays on Workshopping and Writing.
My Life as an Armadillo collects my thoughts from 2016 to 2021 about writing and becoming a better writer by workshopping with others. It is not a complete guide to style nor a manifesto on how to run your own critique group, but I share it in hopes that you can learn from my experience and apply the ideas you find most helpful.
Essays are grouped into four main sections: Group Participation and Leadership, Starting a Major Work, Basic Revisions for Style, and Style and Substance. You will find guidance for leading a workshop group and getting the most out of participating in one, refining your prose based on style tips commonly given in workshops, and overcoming the fundamental challenges many writers struggle with.
Now available for only 99 cents at https://amzn.to/3c2Poga
Free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers!
Mars Will Send No More 
Woo, congrats on the new book! Am wishing you all the best with it. It does sound interesting indeed. I might just have to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Stuart! I hope people find it as helpful to read as it was helpful to me to gather and organize what I learned.
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to reading it. I have always appreciated your insights into writing and since COVID happened, I’ve been itching to join or form an online writing group. Perfect timing. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the kind words! I hope you enjoy the book.
My workshop group has been meeting via Zoom for the past year instead of in-person. As much as we loved our face-to-face gatherings, going virtual or online has many advantages. I like that I can still join a session despite living 90 minutes away, there’s no need to print any physical copies of manuscripts, and beer costs less at home!
Trying out several different groups helped me determine how I did and did not want my own group to be. Plus, every group has different insights and styles that result in more diverse feedback.
Good luck on your writing journey!
LikeLike
Pingback: a note about solving writing problems | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Nine Things Workshops Taught Me to Improve in My Writing | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Reflections on Writing The Martian Revolution | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Reflections on Writing Dekarna Triumphant | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Infinite Playground of Imagination | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Rebel Girl: Notes on Writing Mags and Her Music | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Why Minimalism? A Personal Reflection. | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Thoughts on Two Years of COVID-19 | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Finishing Matters | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Reflections on Writing: Odonata’s Revenge | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: reflections on writing: One Last Night on Death World | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: EC Comics: Sagas of the Seas, Ships, Plunder, and PIRACY! | Mars Will Send No More
Pingback: Snoopy and “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night” | Mars Will Send No More