I’m sure some of the writers I coach become frustrated when I ask them, “What are you writing?” They eagerly launch into detailed descriptions of their characters and every moment of action taking place in their story. Until I stop them and ask, “In no more than one hundred words, what’s your story about?” Most […]
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My Wish for All Writers
I hope you are all safe at home with loved ones, snuggling in for the holiday season. Surely, close at hand, there are stacks of great books to read, board games to play, and movies to watch. And of course, lots of delicious treats at each meal and for snacking through the day. Inside you’re […]
Go: Challenge Yourself
Have you stretched some personal comfort zones and flexed those writing muscles yet? Great. I’m glad to hear you’re building your skills. That means it’s time to challenge ourselves to do something new. Okay, I’ll go first. There have been times I’ve become so comfortable writing a certain style or genre that I began to […]
Weather Records Fall: Where’s the Story in That?
I’m late posting this article because of the weather. Yeah, that’s one of those chestnuts right up there with “the dog ate my homework.” But it really was the weather. We’re finally getting some thunderstorms and intermittent rain in our area. Of course, it comes down too fast and hard to soak into the hard soil […]
Revisiting Goals: A Chance to Start Over
The mid-year mark came and went, almost without notice. But I caught it sneaking past from the corner of my eye, and realized it’s time to revisit my goals. I know you’re thinking I’m really overdoing it with the goals theme. But it’s important to your writing career to know where you stand. I’ll go […]
Day Fourteen – Branded: Your Face in the World
One thing is sure. We’re responsible for our own success. Therefore, we will brand ourselves, and do it gladly and brilliantly. Today, publishers don’t allocate time or money to promote every single book that leaves their house. The sheer volume of books published each day means the publisher reserves its support for their biggest clients. The […]
Making Word Music: Practice Your Way to Perfection
Yesterday I practiced writing. Today I am practicing writing. Tomorrow I will practice writing. Are you seeing a pattern here? Practice is a repeated action. The practitioner repeats the action because he is attempting to acquire proficiency. When I was young(er), I played the organ, and later the piano. But I only played after minutes, […]
Telling Tales: Surrounded by Hans’ and Grimm’s Characters
Continuing with the theme of the last post, I’ve been considering the popularity of the TV shows Grimm and Once Upon A Time. Both were renewed for a second season and Once Upon A Time is one of ABC’s top shows. Recently, author Mercedes Lackey retold the popular fairy tales of our youth in a […]
Generous Writers Reap Rewards: Share Your Knowledge
Are you a generous writer? When you run across a contest or call for submissions do you hoard it for yourself, or do you joyfully send the information to writer friends you know can create exactly what the publisher desires? Are you afraid if you share what you have learned with other writers that somehow they […]
Step Away From The Keyboard: Read For The Sake Of Your Craft
I’m addicted – to reading, that is. I read an average of 500 books each year. Sometimes to the detriment of my own writing time. And to all the authors reading this, yes, I buy 95% of them new. A few are passed on to me from family and friends. No, not all those books are literary masterpieces. […]