Friday Forum: Did you like this blog?

You know I love to hear your opinions on everything related to books and writing, but now I want your opinion of this blog.

Do you like it? Is there anything you don't like about it? How often have you stopped by? Did you have favorite posts? Favorite topics? Topics you wanted to see more or less of?

Remember: writers always need to be able to look at their work and think about how to revise and make it better. Blogging is part of my work as a writer. I want to know how I'm doing, and I won't be able to figure it all out unless you help me.

What do you think of this blog? Now's your chance to tell it like it is!

Friday Forum: What do you want to be?

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A while back, I told you I didn't know I was going to be a writer when I was younger. When I look back I can see that I always enjoyed writing--I just enjoyed a lot of other things, too.

One of the greatest things about writing is that you don't have to be a full-time, professional author (like me) in order to write. You can have any job or profession that interests you, and still write a lot. In fact, nearly every writer and author you've ever heard of has probably had many other kinds of jobs along the way.

What about you? Is writing just a fun hobby, or is it part of your career goals? What do you want to be when you grow up?

Friday Forum: Writing Routines

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Writers are creatures of habit, and once we find the places and tools that inspire us most, we tend to stick to them.

Do you have a spot you like to write? Are you a coffeeshop junkie? Do you hit the library? Is it the quiet of your own bedroom that inspires you?

Some of us type like our fingers are on fire, while others of us love the feel of a trusty old pen or pencil in our hands. Do you use a computer or a notebook for your writing?*

(*Okay, now it ooccurs to me that laptop computers are sometimes called notebooks...but hoepfully you know what I mean!)

Tell us about your writing routines!

Friday Forum: Scary Stuff

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In honor of Halloween, store windows around town are decked out with ghouls and goblins, cobwebs and witches.

 In the bookstore, you may find a special table displaying horror titles, creepy mystery fiction and other scary stuff.

The question that's on my mind this week is simply: Do you like to be scared?

What's your pleasure when you want to be petrified? Scary books? Scary movies? Haunted houses?

Friday Forum: Books vs. Movies

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Lately it seems that every successful book (or series) is being turned into a film (or series of films). Books and movies are such different forms of media, and they lend themselves to very different

What do you think about this trend? How do you feel about books being turned into movies? Has it happened to any of your favorites?

Friday Forum: Lock and Key

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Writing can be a very personal and private thing. How do you go about sharing your writing, if you do at all?

Maybe you have never, ever shown anyone anything you have written. Maybe you have a trusted friend or family member or two who you feel comfortable sharing it with. Maybe you love to read aloud, and show people what you are working on. Maybe you never show your first draft, but after you revise and polish a piece, you enjoy sharing it.

There's no right or wrong level of privacy for a writer. It just depends on what makes you comfortable.

How about you? Do you keep your writing a careful secret? Do you like to share?

Friday Forum: What challenges you?

Some days writing comes easy, and some times it is very hard work. Every writer is different--some of us have more easy days and some of us have more hard ones.  What about you? Do you find writing easy or difficult most of the time?

For you, what is the most challenging thing about being a writer?

Friday Forum: Do you journal?

Image: freedigitalphotos.net/David Castillo Dominici

Many people--whether they consider themselves writers or not--like to jot their feelings down in a diary from time to time. It's a great way of getting your feelings out!

Do you keep a journal or diary? Why or why not? If so, how often do you write in it? If not, have you ever tried any kind of journaling before?

Friday Forum: Favorite Books!

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Good writers should be good readers. There's no better way to learn what good writing looks and sounds like than to read a lot.

I don't know about you, but my room is filled from floor to ceiling with books, some that I've read, some that I'm currently reading, and some that I haven't gotten around to yet. There's so much to read, and so little time!

What do you like to read? Do you have a favorite genre, like mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, or romance?

What is one of your favorite books? What do you like best about it?