Rebecca Dodson
@rsdodson.com
Mood:
(It's both. I'm a writer. It's always both.)
#writingcommunity #amquerying #amwriting #writerslife
(It's both. I'm a writer. It's always both.)
#writingcommunity #amquerying #amwriting #writerslife
July 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Mood:
(It's both. I'm a writer. It's always both.)
#writingcommunity #amquerying #amwriting #writerslife
(It's both. I'm a writer. It's always both.)
#writingcommunity #amquerying #amwriting #writerslife
Prologues: yay or nay?
I've heard conflicting advice, usually boiling down whether it's just for scene-setting/world-building. I've *also* heard conflicting advice on the use of timeline headers in the opening chapter, as essentially a prologue by a different name.
#writers #amquerying Thoughts?
I've heard conflicting advice, usually boiling down whether it's just for scene-setting/world-building. I've *also* heard conflicting advice on the use of timeline headers in the opening chapter, as essentially a prologue by a different name.
#writers #amquerying Thoughts?
July 1, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Prologues: yay or nay?
I've heard conflicting advice, usually boiling down whether it's just for scene-setting/world-building. I've *also* heard conflicting advice on the use of timeline headers in the opening chapter, as essentially a prologue by a different name.
#writers #amquerying Thoughts?
I've heard conflicting advice, usually boiling down whether it's just for scene-setting/world-building. I've *also* heard conflicting advice on the use of timeline headers in the opening chapter, as essentially a prologue by a different name.
#writers #amquerying Thoughts?
Reposted by Rebecca Dodson
This is slanted towards more traditional workplace environments, but the message? "Real strength comes from struggle." 💜 "Research also confirms that grit—not talent—is what sets high achievers apart."
www.fastcompany.com/91335417/why...
#writingcommunity #writersky #amquerying
www.fastcompany.com/91335417/why...
#writingcommunity #writersky #amquerying
This lesson I learned in the Marines will help you succeed at work
A former marine officers shares the secrets to leadership success
www.fastcompany.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This is slanted towards more traditional workplace environments, but the message? "Real strength comes from struggle." 💜 "Research also confirms that grit—not talent—is what sets high achievers apart."
www.fastcompany.com/91335417/why...
#writingcommunity #writersky #amquerying
www.fastcompany.com/91335417/why...
#writingcommunity #writersky #amquerying
They say to start writing your next book to stifle the misery of the query trenches. Well, I'm almost done with my 4th.
(by 'done,' I mean a draft written from beginning to end. Still: 4th book. Each letter I type drains another tiny bit of my soul.)
#amquerying #writersky #writingcommunity
(by 'done,' I mean a draft written from beginning to end. Still: 4th book. Each letter I type drains another tiny bit of my soul.)
#amquerying #writersky #writingcommunity
May 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
They say to start writing your next book to stifle the misery of the query trenches. Well, I'm almost done with my 4th.
(by 'done,' I mean a draft written from beginning to end. Still: 4th book. Each letter I type drains another tiny bit of my soul.)
#amquerying #writersky #writingcommunity
(by 'done,' I mean a draft written from beginning to end. Still: 4th book. Each letter I type drains another tiny bit of my soul.)
#amquerying #writersky #writingcommunity
When I finally have some quiet after everyone goes to bed, even if I'm tired, too, I tell myself to give it half an hour. If I can get in a rhythm in the next half an hour, I'll let it roll as long as I can.
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writers
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writers
May 25, 2025 at 3:30 AM
When I finally have some quiet after everyone goes to bed, even if I'm tired, too, I tell myself to give it half an hour. If I can get in a rhythm in the next half an hour, I'll let it roll as long as I can.
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writers
#writingcommunity #amwriting #writers
This isn't new, but I love it: a dissection of the opening paragraph of We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson.
"... in a few scant lines, a strong impression of an unusual character ['s voice], and also presents all of the major themes of the novel."
lithub.com/a-close-read...
"... in a few scant lines, a strong impression of an unusual character ['s voice], and also presents all of the major themes of the novel."
lithub.com/a-close-read...
A Close Reading of the Best Opening Paragraph of All Time
One hundred and one years ago today, Shirley Jackson was born. During her lifetime, she wrote “The Lottery,” and The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, the …
lithub.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
This isn't new, but I love it: a dissection of the opening paragraph of We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson.
"... in a few scant lines, a strong impression of an unusual character ['s voice], and also presents all of the major themes of the novel."
lithub.com/a-close-read...
"... in a few scant lines, a strong impression of an unusual character ['s voice], and also presents all of the major themes of the novel."
lithub.com/a-close-read...
It is rare that social media makes me actually snort, but this just did:
NOBODY WANTS APPLE BUILDING IPHONES HERE YOU IGNORANT FAT TODDLER.
Good God you exhausting sloppy goon
Good God you exhausting sloppy goon
May 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM
It is rare that social media makes me actually snort, but this just did:
🤦♀️ Cheese and rice, people. Be better.
gizmodo.com/chicago-pape...
#booksky #writersky #authorsky #writesky
gizmodo.com/chicago-pape...
#booksky #writersky #authorsky #writesky
Chicago Paper Publishes 'Summer Reading List' of Fake Books Created With AI
10 of the 15 books on the list are completely fake.
gizmodo.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
🤦♀️ Cheese and rice, people. Be better.
gizmodo.com/chicago-pape...
#booksky #writersky #authorsky #writesky
gizmodo.com/chicago-pape...
#booksky #writersky #authorsky #writesky
Reposted by Rebecca Dodson
"It’s easy to go and get a dopamine hit by checking Instagram, and it takes longer to get that dopamine hit from writing, but the high lasts way longer."
thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...
thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...
Writer and editor Shelby Hinte on how to handle creative feedback – The Creative Independent
Writer and editor Shelby Hinte discusses when art goes from private to public, staying off the internet to focus, and deciding when it's right to listen to advice
thecreativeindependent.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
"It’s easy to go and get a dopamine hit by checking Instagram, and it takes longer to get that dopamine hit from writing, but the high lasts way longer."
thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...
thecreativeindependent.com/people/write...
This tracks.
May 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This tracks.
Just here to say I've deliberately polluted my targeted ads by clicking exclusively on trendy jewelry. Now, all social media pushes at me is more snake earrings. 10/10, would recommend.
#staysane #writers #writesky #writingcommunity
#staysane #writers #writesky #writingcommunity
May 22, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Just here to say I've deliberately polluted my targeted ads by clicking exclusively on trendy jewelry. Now, all social media pushes at me is more snake earrings. 10/10, would recommend.
#staysane #writers #writesky #writingcommunity
#staysane #writers #writesky #writingcommunity
I LOVED this!
A new #AgentAntics has landed, and oh how I wish I'd been the one to write this! My dear friend, @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social at CMA Lit FREAKIN' NAILED IT!
open.substack.com/pub/agentant...
open.substack.com/pub/agentant...
Decoding Form Rejections (From Someone Who’s Been on Both Sides of the Inbox)
Before I was an agent, I was a querying author.
open.substack.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I LOVED this!
9/10 👍
Just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any worse.
May 19, 2025 at 1:25 AM
9/10 👍
Congrats to Scottie Scheffler on his third major. Hot take: people who shout "get in the hole" every time a golfer takes a shot are the same people who clap every time their plane lands.
May 19, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Congrats to Scottie Scheffler on his third major. Hot take: people who shout "get in the hole" every time a golfer takes a shot are the same people who clap every time their plane lands.
Sure would like that TikTok engagement, tho... 😆😆
Here’s your gentle reminder:
👉Your worth is not defined by book deals, sales numbers, or TikTok engagement.
If you’re showing up, learning, and writing honestly…you’re already doing the brave thing. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying
👉Your worth is not defined by book deals, sales numbers, or TikTok engagement.
If you’re showing up, learning, and writing honestly…you’re already doing the brave thing. #writingcommunity #amwriting #amquerying
May 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Sure would like that TikTok engagement, tho... 😆😆
This.
...But if basic craft advice feels condescending… what’s going to happen when an editor wants edits? Or multiple rounds of them? This industry runs on revision and resilience. And writers get rejection even AFTER being agented.
May 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This.
Preach.
Yesterday was my first book launch in a while, which meant I my day babysitting social media posts after a dedicated effort to be online less, and here's what I learned:
* this is the worst thing for my mental health in a long time
* social media doesn't help with book outreach like it used to
1/
* this is the worst thing for my mental health in a long time
* social media doesn't help with book outreach like it used to
1/
May 15, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Preach.
Reposted by Rebecca Dodson
What we call writer’s block is usually one of two things. Either you haven’t spent enough time away from the keyboard thinking about what happens next (so do that) or you’re afraid what you write won’t be good enough (it won’t be. That’s what editing is for. No one gets to see it until it’s ready.)
May 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
What we call writer’s block is usually one of two things. Either you haven’t spent enough time away from the keyboard thinking about what happens next (so do that) or you’re afraid what you write won’t be good enough (it won’t be. That’s what editing is for. No one gets to see it until it’s ready.)
Hard agree.
Writers owe you good stories, well-formed characters and meticulously plotted stories. You're not owed their personal data or an explanation unless they're open to that conversation.
You can ask a writer if and why we're using a pen name, but we don't have to answer.
#Writing #WritingCommunity
You can ask a writer if and why we're using a pen name, but we don't have to answer.
#Writing #WritingCommunity
May 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Hard agree.
This sounds amazing, ngl. A five-day stretch like that is a dream to an introvert like me.
Also, though, it's easy to forget how important it is to read almost as much as you write. Read and listen, because hearing a book is a completely different experience than reading it.
Also, though, it's easy to forget how important it is to read almost as much as you write. Read and listen, because hearing a book is a completely different experience than reading it.
Once a year in the middle of winter I drive three hours into the woods and stay in a cabin with no phone service or internet and read for five days. I don't see or talk to anyone and only leave the cabin once a day for a little hike.
What are your weirdest rituals for working/reading/writing? Not like, oh I write a little to-do list and use timers and read on a dedicated ereader. Actually weird.
May 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
This sounds amazing, ngl. A five-day stretch like that is a dream to an introvert like me.
Also, though, it's easy to forget how important it is to read almost as much as you write. Read and listen, because hearing a book is a completely different experience than reading it.
Also, though, it's easy to forget how important it is to read almost as much as you write. Read and listen, because hearing a book is a completely different experience than reading it.
Reposted by Rebecca Dodson
If your literary organization lost an NEA grant this week, I'd like to hear from you for a story I'm writing for the LARB.
DMs are open, email is adam@thefrontlist.org.
DMs are open, email is adam@thefrontlist.org.
May 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
If your literary organization lost an NEA grant this week, I'd like to hear from you for a story I'm writing for the LARB.
DMs are open, email is adam@thefrontlist.org.
DMs are open, email is adam@thefrontlist.org.
Reposted by Rebecca Dodson
Meetings are now live for non-members! Choose from 60+ kind, thoughtful, insightful agents and editors here: manuscriptacademy.com/consultations
And you can search by genre + age group + availability here! manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-memb...
And you can search by genre + age group + availability here! manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-memb...
May 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Meetings are now live for non-members! Choose from 60+ kind, thoughtful, insightful agents and editors here: manuscriptacademy.com/consultations
And you can search by genre + age group + availability here! manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-memb...
And you can search by genre + age group + availability here! manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-memb...
I love multiple POV stories because I enjoy a holistic view, but there's so much to be said for first person, where the reader only knows what the MC knows.
It seems like a ton of recent bestsellers have been in the first person. It would be neat to see stats on that.
It seems like a ton of recent bestsellers have been in the first person. It would be neat to see stats on that.
"Multi-POV novels that combine first, second, and third person limited points of view are increasingly common."
Author Rachel Paris compares different types of POV and how they work.
www.writersdigest.com/which-narrat...
Author Rachel Paris compares different types of POV and how they work.
www.writersdigest.com/which-narrat...
Which Narrative Point of View Is Best for a Thriller?
Author Rachel Paris breaks down the different types of POV (or point of view) and discusses which option(s) is best for thrillers.
www.writersdigest.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I love multiple POV stories because I enjoy a holistic view, but there's so much to be said for first person, where the reader only knows what the MC knows.
It seems like a ton of recent bestsellers have been in the first person. It would be neat to see stats on that.
It seems like a ton of recent bestsellers have been in the first person. It would be neat to see stats on that.