Robin Brande, Author, Dog Lover, Coffee and Chocolate Addict. Living an Interesting Life.

Fiction author Robin Brande talks about writing, reading, and other vital matters

For writers, readers, and independent thinkers–book talk for readers and writers, life chats when we need them, writers’ motivational articles, secret behind-the-scenes stories from the publishing trenches, and more.

Things required while editing

October 16th, 2008

Hi, there. Working on what I believe to be my final, final, final (pre-galley proofs) final, final edits to the next book. Please, please, please. Yes, I agree that one certain character is despicable and that it’s clear I can’t stand anything about him, but that yes, it would be better for [...]

Stephen King loves rewrites as much as all of us

October 8th, 2008

I’ve watched this several times, and still love it. Enjoy:
Sports Center KingUploaded by bsap11
(Psst: In case you didn’t notice, that’s Stephen King.)

Off to write some romance

September 22nd, 2008

I love romance novels. Love to read them, love to write them. I wrote two a few years ago, and even though they haven’t been published yet, that’s not stopping me from writing a new one now. I just feel like telling myself a romantic story. So why not?
So here [...]

The super-secret method for getting published in the next year

September 15th, 2008

Okay, so this is just between us, right?
I learned this from my favorite teachers, authors Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.
(Before you read any further, click on the link to Dean Wesley Smith and look at his post about Heinlein’s Rules. This is some great information, and parts of it just [...]

How will you finish your book when no one wants it yet?

September 14th, 2008

Hi there! Why am I here? Because, ladies and gentlemen, I have once more come through a marathon editing session and just now e-mailed the manuscript to my editor. Hurray! I am SO tired–that sort of raw tired that even a catch-up nap and a good night’s sleep won’t touch–and I [...]

But really, back to writing . . .

September 3rd, 2008

Okay, okay, really. This election is like the Olympics–I get so drawn into it I could easily spend (and perhaps have) day and night reading about it, watching it, talking about it, blogging, etc.
But I actually have a deadline! In 2 weeks! Again! Seems this whole year has been broken up [...]

The first rule of holes

September 2nd, 2008

Regarding McCain and his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate:
At times like these it would be good to remember the first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.
I’m guessing she’ll quit within the next 24 hours, saying she realizes it would be best for her family (and honestly, could you [...]

Sorry, but I need to get a little political

August 29th, 2008

I just have to ask: That’s who McCain picked for a running mate? Really?
Wow.
That could be one of the weirdest things I’ve ever heard, and that includes all the stuff I learned from X-Files.
Just curious what y’all thought.

Into the wild

August 20th, 2008

Heading out for a few nights of backpacking with the husband and the Bear (not a grizzly, as discussed in yesterday’s comments). We’re going to our favorite high mountain lake, where we scattered our previous Lab’s ashes a few years ago. We get very sentimental visiting his resting place. My husband has [...]

Vampires, bears, etc.

August 17th, 2008

I’ve been sitting in our rented house in my favorite mountain town all afternoon, curled up on the couch blazing my way through the last book in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn.
WOW.
LOVED IT. Why? Because it was so weird and wild and exciting and completely unexpected. I have no idea how Stephenie [...]