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Jan 15, 2025 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
It seems chaos surrounds us. I want to acknowledge theterrible tragedy unfolding in California due to the fires, and send healing prayers to all those impacted. In these darktimes, I am reminded of these wise words from K. M. Weiland:“… storytelling is never a frivolous pursuit in times likethese. The stories we tell matter.
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Dec 15, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
In celebration of the season, I found this on Pinterest, a lovely shape poem by Brian Bilston (2024) ❤️❤️...
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Nov 15, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
You may remember my good news, I sold my eighth book to Eileen Robinson of Charlesbridge (to be releasedin Spring 2026, by the way). For two years, I had been working with a new agent-- I had signed with her in 12/2022, when I brought the contract to her -- who had helped me negotiate this contract. I was over the moon preparing otherprojects and looking forward to the next step. But, within months, it became apparent that wewere not as good a team as I had hoped. Emails went unanswered for months.
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Oct 15, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
I’m enjoying Holly’s current series on plotting with backstory. Be sure to check out her entire series here: Holly Schindler Storyteller. At the core of her discussion is the process of story engineering. And, in fact, connected to this is the fine art of revision. Remember that old marching song:99 bottles of beer on the wall99 bottles of beerTake one down, and pass it around,98 bottles of beer on the wall. Its repetitive melody helps you find your rhythm when hiking trails or jumping ropes.
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Sep 30, 2024 | 
editorial.rottentomatoes.com | Bobbi Miller
After an explosive and emotional second season, AMC quickly renewed Interview with the Vampire, the most ambitious adaptation of Anne Rice’s famed vampire chronicles featuring career-best performances from Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson, for a third season. Season 2’s drama, jump in popularity, and critical acclaim has set up season 3 brilliantly to eclipse everything we have seen thus far.
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Sep 15, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
Last time, I highlighted the writing class sponsored by LorinOberweger and Free Expressions, The Breakout Novel Intensive, exploring theprinciples outlined in Donald Maass ‘ book, Writing the Breakout Novel(2001). As a story nerd, I thrive on taking deep dives into the storyengineering process, and this is as deep as it can get. This time I wantto sing the praises of K.M. Weiland’s course, Shadow Archetype Course.
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Aug 15, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
I had intended to write a long-winded poetic waxing of the trials and tribulations in publishing, about the years it takes to learn the story engineering process, how one could do everything right and still not see any positive results. How perseverance, rather than talent, is often the determinate factor in finding success. That failure is not fatal, but rather a learning experience. I even thought about including some nifty cliches, such as don’t count the days; rather, make the days count.
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Jul 18, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
You want to know the real secret to great writing? As we continue to explore the concept of beauty in writing,I offer a slightly different but intimately related take on the concept:there’s beauty in persistence, too. There's all sorts of news floating about whether books are sellingor not. This from Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris. (Agents, The Good, The Bad, and the Disgusting, 2024) This is the story of my writing life, to a tee. It’sfrustrating and depressing and angrifying.
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Jul 18, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
I really enjoyed Holly’s recent newsletter, “I Really Need to Get Going.” It can be overwhelming, when listing all the things oneneeds to do. “[But] there will always be another group of reallyneeds after these are done,” Holly offers. And, she adds, “[However] today,the best thing to do was lie beneath the sweetgum tree on a sweet June day andwatch the clouds above turn summersaults.”I’m looking ahead, planning out what I need to do for this next phase of life.
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Jul 18, 2024 | 
smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com | Bobbi Miller
It’s been a long minute since the planets aligned just right,allowing me to take a writing class. And this one is a doozy, sponsored by Lorin Oberweger and Free Expressions. This six-week course -- The Breakout Novel Intensive -- explores the principles outlined in Donald Maass ‘ book,Writing the Breakout Novel (2001). As a story nerd, I thrive on taking deep dives intothe story engineering process, and this is as deep as it can get. This week we're working on micro-tensions.
