Devoted to publishing, publishers and to those who craft the written word

Out of the millions of book blogs and writing-help websites, you have to dig pretty deep to find practical advice. Luckily, Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony, is once again guest blogging on Mark Sarvas's site. Tune in every day for his straight-ahead thoughts:

"I'm always reminding my students to vary their cadences, that too much repetition is numbing. They'll give me a sentence with three great images, but what they don't understand is that those images are competing with each other and are therefore lessening the effect of the sentence: too much meat in the can and you get Spam"

And, if the hunt for meat and Spam is driving you mad, you might need a drink. If you need help with that, the New York Post has a great article about writers and booze, complete with some tasty cocktail recipes.

Publishing Spot alum Janice Erlbaum (you can find out more about her memoir in that video) weighed in with this tasty beverage:

"The key lime martini; it's vanilla vodka with lime juice and a little cream. Some places will even put a graham cracker crust around the rim ... I have a sentimental attachment to it. But I also have a taste-bud attachment. It's girlie, and I like that in a drink. The glass balances so elegantly in one's little fingers. The drink is twee, but writers are twee, so I'm allowed."