What's Your Current no. 1 Writing Obstacle?

Published: Sat, 10/22/22

Hi, WriteByNighter,

The other day I was chatting with a writer who asked me about the origin of the name WriteByNight. If memory serves, we intended for it to speak to those of you (and us) who work in the day and squeeze in some writing time after sundown, or before sunup.

Also, to be honest, it was the least terrible of the names on our brainstorm list. Composite Monster was one; Exquisite Corpse another. Perfect for Halloween, maybe, but not for... anything else. ("Hi, Exquisite Corpsers!" No.)

The thing is, I can't remember the last time I wrote by night. Or before sunup. Or... during the day.

(So what else is new, right?)

How about you? These days, when are you writing? Are you a writebynighter? A writebydayer? A writebyneverer? Later on we're going to ask about your current no. 1 writing obstacle.

Do you write in your workclothes? Your PJs? Are you a tatterdemalion?

(Confession: This whole intro was an excuse to use that word. I love it.)

And now onto some news & notes.

WriteByNighter of the Week

There I was, idly flipping through my New York Review of Books, when I saw an eye-catching ad for a story collection titled It Falls Gently All Around, winner of the 2022 Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Turns out the writer is none other than WriteByNighter Ramona Reeves!

Ramona worked on drafts of these stories in coaching. "I owe WBN a huge thanks for helping me stay accountable," Ramona says.

She's now finishing up a novel and will soon query agents. So stay tuned, because we'll be hearing much more from Ramona!

October Promotion #1: Spooooooktober!

You're poised to become the next Shirley Jackson, the next Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, Agatha Christie. You're almost ready to spook & startle the world with your horror, thriller, suspense, crime, or dark sci-fi/fantasy novel.

You just need a fresh pair of eyes & a chat with a fellow dark fiction lover.

Though we're compelled by our sinister overlords to charge for the eyes (two eyes for the price of one), all through October the chat is on us!

Sign on for a beta read or critique of your spooky novel and we'll include the 60-minute discussion for FREE. That's a $99 savings.

Nothing to fear except not taking the next step! Click the button below.

I'm Not Afraid!

WBN Coaches' Corner

It's high time you met new WriteByNight coach Sara Zarr. That is, if you don't already know Sara from her award-winning books or her popular podcast, This Creative Life.

You know that Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game? Well, Sara's 2007 National Book Award finalist novel, Story of a Girl, was adapted for the screen by Kyra Sedgwick in 2017, with the film co-starring Kevin Norwood(!) Bacon. (That's one degree, for those of you keeping score.)

If you want Sara to read some of your fiction or nonfic, hustle up! Her calendar is filling fast.

WriteByNighter of the Week

WBN fan favorite Bridget Farr is back with The Truth About Everything (Flux), which Kirkus calls "an engrossing, poignant tale of a difficult journey" and Publishers Weekly labels a "hopeful tale" with a "fast-paced plot."

~~If you like this one~~ When you like this one, check out Bridget's first two novels, available from Little, Brown.

(I know, I know, we already had a WriteByNigher of the Week. But y'all are so wonderful and wonderfully prolific!)

October Promotion #2: More FREE Chatting!

Sign up for any beta read or critique in October and receive a FREE 30-minute chat with John Sibley Williams, our publishing expert.

John has worked as a literary agent and publicist, and for five years was marketing director at a self-publisher. So whether you're going traditional or going it alone, John has answers to all of your questions.

Click the button below to get started!

I'm Interested in a FREE Chat

Yak Babies: Takin' a Quick Yak

With your favorite Yakkers on a brief hiatus, this would be the perfect time to test drive our Patreon membership! Just $1 a month gets you access to all the material that's too gross, gruesome, or ridiculous for our main show. (I hope you won't think less of me... but you certainly won't think more of me.)

Click to listen

~~What Am I Writing?~~ What Am I Reading?

I finished Sally Rooney's Normal People. And I liked it. (Don't tell Yak Baby Nico. Please!) I get why her work is polarizing. What's your take?

After that I finally read The Picture of Dorian Gray. This adorbs little pocket-size edition. It's great, obviously. (And no tatterdemalion was Oscar Wilde.)

Now I'm about one-third of the way through my umpteenth reading of Jekyll & Hyde. Man I love that book. Get yourself an edition that also contains some short stories, especially "The Body Snatcher" & "Olalla."

What are you reading?

This Week's Most FAQ

We're going to try a new approach this time: I ask you the question, you send me your answer, and I publish my favorite in the next email message.

Question: What is your current no. 1 writing obstacle, and how will you make your way over, under, or around it?

Reply to this email to submit your response. In case you win top reply, let me know how you'd like me to style your name (or you can be anonymous) and include a link to your work, your Twitter, whatever you'd like.