Miranda Liasson, Author at Miranda Liasson Romance Author

Donald Maass: Tension, Tension Everywhere

By Miranda Liasson on Friday, Mar 1, 2013 | 4 comments

I heard famed writing craft author and literary agent Donald Maass speak at a one-day workshop back in January. It was revelatory.So I went back to my copy of Maass's The Fire in Fiction and reread Chapter 8, Tension All the Time.How do you create the type of tension that keeps a reader reading every [...]

Perfectionism vs. Product in Writing (or, Just Turn the Damn Thing In!)

By Miranda Liasson on Saturday, Feb 23, 2013 | 0 comments

Do you struggle with trying to make your writing perfect? Gosh, I do, and it is the bane of my existence.It's what makes me a good writer and what makes me a terrible writer.The older I get, the more I realize that what makes you good also makes you crazy and bad. The same exact thing! [...]

What’s in YOUR Reading Pile?

By Miranda Liasson on Friday, Jan 18, 2013 | 7 comments

What does your reading pile say about your personality? I had a few days of sickness (like the rest of America) this week where I had some time to stare at my bedside stash of books and contemplate why I read what I read. I don't know if I came up with any profound answers, but [...]

Eliza Knight on Editing

By Miranda Liasson on Friday, Jan 11, 2013 | 6 comments

Today I'm proud to present a fabulous article on editing written by historical romance writer Eliza Knight, who gave me permission to post this today. For more about Eliza and her latest release,see the end of the article. Thanks, Eliza! Finished the Damn Book – oh no – Editing!By Eliza KnightCongratulations! You’ve written “The End.” I assure [...]

How My Writer’s Space Feng Shui Has Gone Awry

By Miranda Liasson on Friday, Jan 4, 2013 | 4 comments

Happy New Year--does your office embrace the principles of good Feng Shui for writers? I called upon the expertise of Pam Gaulin, Kerrie Flanagan, and Regina Paul who wrote online articles about this topic if you're interested in reading more.There is probably something to be said--a lot, actually--about having a tidy, neat, calming writer's space to cause [...]

Creating Unforgettable Characters: James Scott Bell

By Miranda Liasson on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012 | 7 comments

Writers' Digest hosted a free webinar this past week given by suspense author and writing teacher James Scott Bell. Bell has written several books on writing (see his website). The one I have on my shelf (and maybe you do, too) is Plot and Structure.He has a new book soon to be released called Revision and Self [...]

Creativity: Getting Out of Your Own Way

By Miranda Liasson on Tuesday, Nov 27, 2012 | 2 comments

As a writer, don't you think about creativity a lot? What is it, what enhances it? And, most importantly, HOW DO I TURN THIS @#!*$% INTERNAL EDITOR OFF INSIDE MY OWN HEAD??This weekend I heard a really interesting piece on NPR on creativity from the show Studio 360. You can listen to all the segments at http://www.studio360.org/2012/nov/23/In the [...]

Top 3 Harlequin STYYCW Finalists Announced

By Miranda Liasson on Thursday, Nov 8, 2012 | 0 comments

Despite lots of mischief from Sandy, the Harlequin editors have named the top three finalists in the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write competition. Congrats to:Jennifer Drogell The Divorce PartyMel Sterling Grand Theft, AutoAmber Whitford In Defense of the Past You can read their fabulous first chapters herePublic voting begins again from November 16-27 to [...]

Bride for the Bachelor: I finaled in Harlequin’s SYTYCW Contest!

By Miranda Liasson on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 | 2 comments

I have a huge confession: I am a closet contemporary writer! And a few days ago, I learned I was one of 28 finalists in Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write Competition. There were around 700 entries! 25 were chosen based on popular vote and 3 were chosen by editors as "wild card" entries. What is my [...]

Learn to Pitch Better by Watching Lisa Kleypas Chat About Rainshadow Road

By Miranda Liasson on Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 | 0 comments

Is pitching your worst nightmare? Do you quake in your shoes just thinking about it? Are you a fearful public speaker who would rather have all your teeth pulled (at once) than have to sit across from an agent or editor and pitch? If you are, read on!I adore Lisa Kleypas. Not only is she a hugely [...]