Interesting articles

I'm busily writing today. I was joking around that I was going to write until my hands fall off, and although that might be a slight exaggeration, I do plan to have sore fingers and wrists later. I've done 1500 words before breakfast, which gives me a great start.

So rather than a lengthy blog post from me, you are going to get quotes and links from some excellent blog posts by friends this morning. I may be lazy, but they are worth the reading. Enjoy!

Sarah Hoyt, at According to Hoyt, on talent (italics mine).

"So, clearly, it’s not talent that’s needed.

And I have to say everyone else I know who has made it in an artistic field might have talent – how in heck do you judge someone else’s natural gift without being them? – but even if they do, it’s not half as important as wanting to succeed and as sheer, raw, blunt stubbornness."

Kate Paulk at Mad Genius Club, on storytelling.

"#12: Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself. Just remember that if it comes to swinging on the chandelier while wearing scuba kit, you probably went a little too far."

Amanda Green on e-book formatting (with comments, and a superior step-by-step on how to do it).

"But this change in formatting has brought up a new worry for indie authors and small presses. How do you find the right template to use for you e-books? (There’s another associated question: should your e-books look like your print books?)"