I hope you’ve got a yummy cake mix in the pantry. You can stay up late and bake it, because tomorrow we’ll be celebrating Dictionary Day. If you’re a writer, you’re a lover of words. In all their possible arrangements. I’m enjoying a mental image of Marilyn Monroe performing her “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” number. […]
words
Uprooting and Replanting Your Words
I was looking at my garden this week. Okay, that’s a joke. I was looking at the area that used to be a beautiful garden. It’s full of something green, and fluffy. But I’m really sure it’s not the flowers I planted a few years ago. Whatever this is has completely taken over every inch […]
Remembering
Today’s post has nothing to do with editing, or writing, other than that we write from our deepest experiences. And for all of us, 9/11 formed a cavernous, un-fillable loss, a memory of an experience we cannot release. I was preparing to leave the house, eager to get to an early Contemporary Woman class at […]
This Writer's Wish for You
May all your Monsters live within the pages of your Books. May Opportunity knock loudly and often. May Creativity apply for a permanent visa and reside forever in your mind. May everything you write fill you with Joy. May children and adults be touched by your Words. May you find Peace in your chosen Work. […]
wordhaus – New Short Story eZine Ready to Launch!
You may remember my posts, back in June, about the upcoming new ezine, wordhaus. Publisher, and blogger, Emily Wenstrom realized that many sources for short stories were available only to the small community of short story writers. Her personal desire for a constant supply of short stories in the genres of romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy […]
When Push Comes to Shove
Yes, there will be moments like these, my friend. When it becomes a struggle to rip thoughts from the maw of your seething brain and forge them in flame, shaping them into words with meaning. There will be days it becomes an insurmountable challenge to excavate ideas from the depths of your psyche and build […]
Capture the Heat Without Getting Hot
There’s a car dealer in this area whose theme is “It’s hot, (dealer’s name)!” At one time, I determined I would never buy a car from this dealer because I grew so sick of hearing “it’s hot!” over and over again when the ads ran during the TV shows I watched. The dealer yelled at […]
Day Eight – Build a Solid Home for Your Words
It takes more than two-by-fours or bricks to build a house. Just as it takes more than a dictionary full of words to build a story. Before a house can be built, someone has a plan for what it will look like and what it will contain. Before a story can be told, a writer has a plan […]
Day Six – Steal What You Need: Honestly, of Course
Not what you were expecting, is it? Steal what you need? Isn’t that wrong, in every way? It depends on what you’re stealing, how and why. There are three reasons stealing makes sense for a writer. And they’re entirely legal. There’s not enough time in your day to write. At least that’s what you declare […]
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, […]