Category Archives: advice

No writer is an island. Not even a writer on an island.

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Bill Bunn

A few words on the importance of the editing process. OK. There was a time when I thought I was so right that editing would have been offensive. But I was a moron for thinking this way. Even the best … Continue reading →

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Editing the book: getting it “righter”

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Bill Bunn

Let me spend a few words on describing what happened once Bitingduck accepted my manuscript. Editor-in-chief, Jay Nadeau, once the contract was signed, asked me to work on some initial revisions. Now, instead of just one set of eyes on … Continue reading →

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Rejection slips, God’s rude angels (Floating the duck, part II)

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Bill Bunn

(Photo borrowed from “Duck of the Day“) But by this time, I had met a novelist, and he offered to read the first 35 pages of my story for free. He also explained how important those first 35 pages were. … Continue reading →

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Death of an agent (Floating the duck, part I)

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Bill Bunn

(Photo borrowed from “Duck of the Day“) The submission process for Duck Boy began 16 years ago. I began to submit the story to publishers every spring. Spring seemed to be the season when some publishers take new material. I … Continue reading →

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Sit on your eggs

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Bill Bunn

Many people don’t believe their thoughts have any value. When these people have an inkling, an idea, or some other great mental event, they shrug it off and forget about it. Thoughts, for me, are like eggs. Many times, I … Continue reading →

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Don’t be perfect: the janitor approach

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bill Bunn

Today’s note is about one of the big barriers that keeps people from writing: perfection. Many folks believe that writing has to be right when it gets typed in, or at least they act that way. I don’t know if … Continue reading →

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I make a mess when I write. How about you?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bill Bunn

There are many ways to write a book. When I first had the idea to write a novel, I spent a little time researching how to write a novel. Lots of people have lots of ideas. A number of people … Continue reading →

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Keep your space messy!

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bill Bunn

I’m a firm believer in keeping a messy work space, and collecting stuff. Anything that’s of any interest of all gets kept somewhere. So my desk is a jumble of memories, artwork, books, books, books, junk and notes I’ve jotted … Continue reading →

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Duck Boy Alchemy

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bill Bunn

The impetus for Duck Boy started many years ago when I was in middle school. I found middle school years were the toughest I’d ever known. A lot of the difficulties I had during those years I carried around for … Continue reading →

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