Category Archives: Writing

Keep Writing to Get Better?

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

If you just keep writing, will you get better? This is the topic of a recent post by Jane Friedman (https://janefriedman.com/practice/), drawing from the informative book, Peak, by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. The reality is that you need the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Books, Improvement, Writing | Tagged Brain Science, Improvement, Jane Friedman, Perseverence, writing | 2 Comments

The Long Road to a Finished Novel

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I’ve posted a few times about the completion of the first draft of my third novel, currently titled Gram & Me. I had high hopes of editing and polishing and maybe even securing an agent by this summer. Many revisions later, … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Sellers, Blogs, Book Reviews, Books, critiques, Editing, Goals, Manuscripts, Novel construction, Publishing, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged agents, authors, Book reviews, Books, critiques, Editing, goals, novels, Perseverence, publishing options, Self-publishing, Traditional Publishers, writers, writing | 3 Comments

Showing Emotion in Your Characters

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I have been complimented frequently on the emotional intensity of the characters and story lines in my novels. But after reading a blog post by C.S. Lakin, complete with examples of good and better ways to draw the reader into … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Editing, Writing | Tagged emotions, Feelings, grief, loss, novels, show don't tell, writing | Leave a comment

INSPIRATION STREET: A STORY YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Occasionally, I’m inspired enough by a book to feel compelled to share it. I don’t often read non-fiction, but when I do and am drawn in as I was with this one, I wonder why I don’t stray from fiction … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Book Reviews, Books, Reading, Writing | Tagged book promotion, Book reviews, Books, Darrell Laurant, Inspiration Street, nonfiction, Perseverence, writers, writing | Leave a comment

Literary Potholes in the Road

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

It has been nearly two months since my search for an agent or publisher began for Gram & Me. I have received 22 rejections, most of which were in response to a query letter only, or a query letter plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Agents, Best Sellers, Blogs, Publishing, Writing | Tagged agents, attitude, authors, Books, critiques, New Novelists, novels, Perseverence, Publishing, writers, writing | 3 Comments

WHAT GENRE IS IT?

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Yes, I know it’s not my usual day for posting. But I have a busy week ahead, and a poor track record for posting in the midst of competing demands. Did I really miss posting last week? Yes. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in Agents, Blogs, Books, Publishing, Writing | Tagged agents, book promotion, Books, genre, novels, publisher, query letters, writing | 4 Comments

“BEST-SELLING AUTHOR KUNSTLER PASSES THE HAT”

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

That was the title of a featured story in this morning’s Times Union (Albany, NY). If a best-selling author, with multiple appearances on “The Colbert Report,” documentary films and a wildly successful blog-not to mention 18 fiction and nonfiction books … Continue reading →

Posted in Publishing, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged authors, Publishing, writing | 5 Comments

WHAT IS “ALONE?”

Posted on May 15, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I have stretches of time when I am unsociable. Well, that’s not accurate. On those days, I don’t lie around watching TV, eating junk food, and ignoring the phone when it rings. Usually on my alone days I’m writing my … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Books, Psychology, Time, Writing | Tagged Alone, Antisocial, attitude, Feelings, Leisure, Loneliness, marriage, novels, Relationships, Time, writing | 4 Comments

The Latest Blog Post at JaneFriedman.com

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Often, when I read other blog posts, I think -great, informative topic, so why re-invent the wheel? Jane Friedman’s blog is loaded with useful content, and from time to time I will share some of those with you. Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Book Sales, Books, Social Media, Writing | Tagged authors, Blogs, book promotion, Book Publicity, Book reviews, Books, guest blogging, Publishing, writing | Leave a comment

TIME FLIES…AGAIN!

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Is today really Wednesday? Because when I woke up yesterday, I could have sworn it was Monday, so today should be Tuesday, the day of each week when I post something new. Alas, the folks on three TV stations, the … Continue reading →