Twice in the last week, I’ve been called a show-off. This is nothing new for me, but it really ticks me off. Especially now, with all that’s happening. Let me tell you why. Even before I started school, I loved to read. Books were my only friends, for a long time. I was a weird … Continue reading
Dear Friend, It’s been a long time since we’ve officially talked. Or…unofficially talked. Too long. It’s strange, even a little creepy, but I still know the basics of the path your life has taken since last we spoke. Officially, I mean. I know you had another kid, but I don’t know what you named it. … Continue reading
***Disclaimer: If you’re super religious and/or don’t like having your beliefs questioned, you may want to steer clear of this one.*** When I was a junior in college, I took a class in professional arguing. (Well, okay, technically it was Advanced Negotiation, but arguing is more fun to say.) One of the most useful things … Continue reading
My Secret Life as an Author by Joshua Edward Smith My self-published first novel had been out for a little more than a month, when my wife and I were walking to our favorite restaurant to meet friends for dinner. “Do you think…” I hesitated. “I mean maybe…” Oh, fuck it, I thought. “Would … Continue reading
One of the questions I get asked most often, by those who read my blog, is: “Veronica, why in the H do you hate Hemingway so much?” The answer to this question is as complex as my love of awkwardness. I hate him because I respect him. Also, because I feel like he probably never … Continue reading
Dear Literary/Agency Interns, I feel it is my divine duty, as the self-appointed patron saint of interns (I’ve done twelve internships and counting, holla!) to pass on some of the things I’ve learned in my recent transition to the agent world: Don’t believe the hype. Whenever I attend a conference, I always have this moment where I feel … Continue reading
As the famously grouchy Ernest Hemingway once said, it’s very rare to find an intelligent, happy person. Of course, I’m paraphrasing. (Mostly because I suspect this will seriously piss off old Ernie, wherever he is. …Hell, probably.) My whole life, I’ve been fascinated by this happiness/knowledge connection. Is it better to see/feel/know too much, and … Continue reading
Oh, what a tangled web we weave…. Lying. The heart of any great writer’s skill. Or “persuasion,” if you want to paint a slightly sexier face on it. (But let’s be honest, that flawless contouring trick you learned on YouTube isn’t fooling anyone, Karen.) We learn when we’re young that lying is wrong, even as the ones … Continue reading
What do they always say, when you’re climbing high? “Don’t look down.” Why do they say it? Does it really matter? Does it make a difference where you’re looking, as long as you keep moving, keep climbing in the right direction? And what will happen if you ignore the warning, and look down? Will you … Continue reading
For my next installment of the Meet the Bombshells Series (where I show off my fantabulous mentees for this year’s Pitch Wars), I’d like to introduce Melissa Flandreau, author of the NA title, WHAT CARRIES THE DAY. V: Thanks for joining me Melissa! Why don’t you tell the fine folks of the interwebs a little … Continue reading
When Writers Go Wrong – Part One by Veronica Park Twas the night before deadline, And all through the hovel Gusted loud, ragged breathing, And the clang of a shovel. It started quite suddenly, If truth can be told. With a simple suggestion– No, nothing as bold As a nag or a mockery Or a … Continue reading
I saw this today while I was updating my personal Goodreads profile, and I was like “OMG I’m in the top FIVE!!?” And THEN I looked at the top part and I was all, “Oh. That’s only for reviewers posting from the tiny tropical island I live on. Riiiiiight.” (Fail.) This, children, is why it’s important … Continue reading
Dear friends, fellow writers, and future readers, Rhett and Link are a PRIME example of why I prefer to write about the unsung sexy nerds and geeks of the Love Interest pool, instead of the typical rugged mountain man types. LOTR? ROFL. HTML? OMH.
It almost feels like an understatement when I say that the online writing community has been a game changer in my life. It’s a daily blessing that I rely on, a source of inspiration, and a constant reminder that I’m not alone in doing all those bizarre writerly things I do. (e.g. talking to myself, … Continue reading
I’d like to thank the lovely and EXTREMELY talented Rhiann Wynn-Nolet for this little slice of sunshine: The intent of this award is to present it to someone who brightens your day either in blog format or in general and to have a little fun with giving up some summer secrets. 1. Favorite song with summer … Continue reading
When I was a teenager, I had some really unrealistic expectations of what a “real man” should be like. “Kill some dragons for me, Dave!” Maybe it was because I was a stereotypical “good girl,” and I believed people when they said that “opposites attract.” Maybe it was because all I knew about romance, I learned from … Continue reading
Sufficed to say, I’ve never really understood that saying. I mean, I used to think “that will suffice” meant something along the lines of “that’s plenty.” Or “that’s more than enough.” Sufficient, of course, being the general idea behind both of these terms. But I was wrong. Here’s what it actually means: “sufficient – of … Continue reading
Today’s TC post comes a day late. But in my defense, I didn’t realize yesterday was Thursday…so. Anyway, I recently stumbled across this photographer’s website, while I was searching for cool photos to create a “future cover” mockup for one of my books. (Oh, don’t act like you’ve never done it, fellow writers!) Her name … Continue reading
I had a friend in high school who used to live by the phrase, “Nothing good ever happens in August.” I really do mean that, literally. For one month during the summer, every single year, if you called her up and asked her to hang out…go to the movies…go camping, whatever, she would simply respond … Continue reading
Recently, I found myself in the extremely uncomfortable and very regrettable situation of signing up for a “freeview” (i.e. a free book, in exchange for an “honest” review) on Goodreads. Aaaaaand hating said book. And then realizing that I still had to write a full review. Because I promised I would. And wondering “WTH do … Continue reading
I just bought a book from one of my favorite authors. I paid more than $5 for it, which is more than I can say for 9/10 of the books I’ve read in the past year. And yet, unlike the other 20+ eBooks that currently sit neglected on my eShelf (which is mostly due to … Continue reading
Are you truly socially awkward? Or are you simply pretending to be awkward, since Zooey Deschanel and Emma Stone made it cool? Find out for sure by taking this test! THE (ACTUALLY) SOCIALLY AWKWARD TEST by Veronica Park A. Give yourself ONE awkward point (each) if… 1. When you wore a dress to school, you had to … Continue reading
This week’s TC post is about Firsts. I honestly never thought I’d spill this particular embarrassment, but in honor of the launch of the Like a Virgin Contest (#LV13) on Friday (for which I am a judge, huzzah!) I’ve decided to go “all the way”…and blog about the first time I ever had my heart broken. So. Here goes. (Ahem.) I … Continue reading
Today’s TC post is written in the cherished style of “rant,” and inspired by the obnoxious–and yes, occasionally hilarious–spam I find in my comments inbox. (By the way, thank you, Askimet, for keeping these off my homepage. I really don’t say that enough.) Here are a few of my favorites: (along with my response) “Some viewers … Continue reading
