Welcome back for another round of writing advice and inspiration from people like you–writers who understand the struggle of writing a publishing books!
Today, author Rhonda Dragomir shares her writing best practices with us. Welcome, Rhonda!
What is your favorite craft book?
I greatly appreciate The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. I also own and use other books in their thesaurus series.
Which do you think is the most underrated craft book? Why?
Because it’s so new on the market, most writers haven’t discovered the fabulous material in Exploring the Art of Character by DiAnn Mills, published in 2020 by Bold Vision Books. All of her craft books are terrific.
What is your favorite (or most anticipated) writers conference?
I look forward every year to attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
What’s your favorite other source (YouTube, podcast, etc.) for writing tips/info?
Linda Goldfarb’s podcast, Your Best Writing Life is informative and entertaining.
Who is your writing mentor/inspiration? Why?
I had the privilege of being mentored for a full year by DiAnn Mills. She doesn’t write in my genre, but her grasp of all aspects of writing excellent fiction is unparalleled. Her approach is thoughtful and methodical, both of which appeal to me.
What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? Why was it bad?
An industry pro once told me I couldn’t write a book featuring protagonists who were not members of my own race and culture. I’ve since learned this isn’t true. With the help of a sensitivity reader, my manuscript with African-American characters is authentic and meaningful.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
One hundred percent of the books you quit writing never get published. The admonition to keep writing despite discouragement and rejections is paramount to success.
What would you say is the best writing tip for new authors?
Before you submit your manuscript, be certain to hire an editor. It’s sometimes expensive, but you should never submit a manuscript that’s not been vetted by someone besides your mom or your best friends.
What is your best self-editing tip or advice?
I run all my writing through an online program, AutoCrit. It’s little-known, but it helps me with pacing, word choice, repetition, and many other aspects of good self-editing.
Please share your most encouraging tip for frustrated/discouraged writers.
When discouragement comes—and it does for all writers, no matter how talented—I step back for a look at the big picture. I keep a document on my desktop with my personal mission statement for writing. When I’m frustrated, I open it for reminders that I write because I’m called by God to write, not because of any certain measure of success. Success is obedience to my calling, not winning a particular award or contract.
Thank you, Rhonda!
Look for Rhonda’s Christmas stories in The Cat in the Christmas Tree by Callie Smith Grant and Christmas Spirit compiled by Terri Kalfas.
Rhonda Dragomir is a multimedia creative who treasures her fairy tale life in Central Kentucky, insisting her home is her castle, even if her prince refuses to dig a moat. She has published works in several anthologies and periodicals, and she is currently seeking publication for her finished novels and screenplays.
Rhonda has garnered numerous writing awards for both fiction and nonfiction, including her selection as 2019 Writer of the Year by Serious Writer, Inc. She was also a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest in 2020 and 2022 in the Historical Romance category.
View Rhonda’s published works and read excerpts of her works in progress at www.rhondadragomir.com.
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