Tag Archives: surviving as a writer

Writing a Novel? Leonard Tells All…

By Leonard Bishop (Ed.  This was part of a series Mr. Bishop wrote in 1985, “…for people who are interested in writing a novel but who have felt too inadequate to begin.”  The advice rings true today!  His other pieces … Continue reading

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Thankful for Words of Wisdom

(There are several writing groups around the country who began with Leonard Bishop.  Each of us writers and dreamers are thankful to him every time we sit down to our desks, or curl in front of a fire to “percolate” … Continue reading

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You Can Quote Me

by Leonard Bishop When I am in my studio, I am compassed about with four walls solidly shelved with books. Tacked onto the shelves are particular quotations by people whose insight and wisdom have touched me deeply. When I’m researching … Continue reading

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A Pair of Persistent Threats

by Leonard Bishop There are two persistent threats that intimidate all inexperienced writers who want to write novels. And unless they avoid those threats, they will never write their novels. When I was instructing at the University of California, in … Continue reading

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We Grow Through Time

by Leonard Bishop I enjoy remembering, but I do not believe in photograph albums. They are bulky, and troublesome to maintain. There are always stacks of pictures in the drawer, waiting to be placed on the pages. Years ago I … Continue reading

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The Writer’s Life: A Social Vacuum

by Leonard Bishop Don’t quit your present employer to become a professional writer until you have learned how to be alone. It is not the lack of talent or skill that stops someone from succeeding as a professional writer. Talent … Continue reading

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Write a Novel? Invent Life

by Leonard Bishop Let’s get to the plot-line. A plot-line is the razzle-dazzle and suspense of the story. Here are some exaggerated examples to use as a guide. If you are writing a first-person novel (telling the story of what … Continue reading

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Who Will Cast The First Stone?

by Leonard Bishop This is an apology to many easily forgettable best-selling writers. Some not exceptionally enlightened college students taught me a lesson I was needing to learn for years. About how to be critical of other writers. While my … Continue reading

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Never Surrender Your Talent

by Leonard Bishop There is no comfort in carrying around long-held regrets for expectations and goals that were never filled. Regrets are like all-season mosquitoes that sting you into the recall of what you once might have done. Most of … Continue reading

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Say What You Mean

by Leonard Bishop I have been criticized for interrupting people what I believe they are describing themselves with an improper use of language. It is annoying, I know. But the language we speak contains both what we mean to say, … Continue reading

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