Category Archives: Writing

CROSSROADS

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

When is it time to admit to yourself that you’ll never make a living as a fiction writer? When should you abandon your lifelong dream? When does the cost of pursuing that illusion become too high when the benefits are … Continue reading →

Posted in Agents, Autumn Colors, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged agents, Autumn Colors, Editing, novels, Perseverence, priorities, Self-publishing, writers, writing | 8 Comments

The Highs and Lows of Rewriting

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

After receiving multiple rejections from agents for Sentimental Journey, several of which said some variation of “very good writing but…” with the “but” usually followed by “too slow” or “didn’t keep me turning pages” or “I just didn’t love it … Continue reading →

Posted in Agents, Sentimental Journey, Writing | Tagged agents, Editing, novels, writers, writing | 2 Comments

WHY FANTASY?

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Today I’d like to welcome Yvonne Hertzberger as my guest blogger. Yvonne, like me, came to the writing life in a “more mature stage” of life. Here she talks about how she launched her writing career with fantasy: Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Books, Fantasy, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged fantasy, New Novelists, novels, Publishing, Self-publishing, writing | 2 Comments

Adirondack Authors’ Reception

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Adirondack Authors’ Reception & Book Signing SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Noon till 3 p.m. Saratoga Train Station 26 Station Lane Saratoga Springs, NY Hosted by: Focus on Humanity Foundation Seventeen North Country Authors will celebrate the arrival of the Saratoga & North … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Signings, Books, Writing | Tagged Autumn Colors, book promotion, Book Publicity, Book Signings, Books, writers, writing | Leave a comment

America – Tarnished But Still Beautiful

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

For this tenth anniversary of the tragic and world-changing events of 9/11, I’m going to digress a bit from my usual topics. I was watching the NBC special this morning and obviously was very moved by the scenes and memories, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grief and Loss, Patriotism, Writing | Tagged 9/11, grief, loss, national pride, national service, patriotism, USA | 2 Comments

ARE YOU ONE OF THE HEIRS TO MANHATTAN?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

“Genealogy can often be used as a base for the historical fiction writer. Following the lives of our ancestors brings us into a particular setting so that time and place both encircle and thread the story. However, for the novelist, one … Continue reading →

Posted in research, Writing | Tagged geneology, historical fiction, Research, writers, writing | 6 Comments

Balancing Your Day Job With Building Your Author Platform (and living the rest of your life)

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

If your image of yourself includes that you are a writer, then you must write. Ah, if only it could be as easy as it sounds. The reality is, no matter what our self-image, the bills must be paid and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Publishing, Social Media, Writing | Tagged book promotion, Book Publicity, priorities, Publishing, Time management, writers, writing | Leave a comment

Keeping Up With the Jones’ (or at least the bloggers)

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Do you value knowing what’s being blogged out there but find yourself too time-challenged to keep up? Help is on the say! I stumbled across Joel Friedlander’s blog earlier today. He has very generously pointed the way to some informative blogs, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Book Reviews, Publishing, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged Blogs, Publishers, Publishing, publishing options, Self-publishing, writers, writing | Leave a comment

Writers’ Resources

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

In a recent post I talked about my experience with YouWriteOn. I’ve continued to receive critiques from fellow writers, and to incorporate the suggestions that are repeated multiple times into revisions. What’s been interesting (if a little frustrating), though, is … Continue reading →