When I was in high school, I told my mother that I hated writing. She responded: “Why do you do it?” I found no answer that wasn’t long and complicated and something she wouldn’t understand. When I said that I hated writing, I didn’t really mean it. I only meant that it was hard. Writing … Continue reading »
There are certain times in your life that will always mean something to you. Whether it’s a birthday or graduation. Even Christmas or the fourth of July can inspire excitement within you. These are the moments that you will remember forever. They give off joy and love which translates into something greater — your writing. … Continue reading »
There was a time when writers relished the idea of the Internet and the promise it held for them to tell a grand story. I was among them. I couldn’t wait to see how new opportunities would unfold, imagining a vast and growing audience and incredible, unchecked earning potential. Read: Rounding the bend in your … Continue reading »
It’s the first day of spring and for many people around the world that means we have entered a time of renewal. Rebirth. Rejuvenation. But for some of us, we aren’t quite there. For some of us, we are still on our way to that moment of awakening. We may be still mired in the … Continue reading »
It’s in there. You know it is. You hear it nearly every day and every time you sit down to write. It’s that little voice that tells you “no.” For such a teeny little thing, that voice can have quite a powerful and devastating effect on your writing potential. So, just how do you quiet … Continue reading »
Valentine’s Day is here and love is everywhere. So for inspiration, let’s talk about some of the great reasons writers love to write. The Familiarity A lot of writers start with what they know and what’s familiar in their surroundings. Whether it is trees swaying in the breeze, or the snow falling heavily from the … Continue reading »
So, how do you know you’re a good writer? Not just someone who loves to imagine a new world and write. How do you know if you write well? Yes, there are so many ways to measure such a thing, but if you are just starting out, how do you know if your efforts are … Continue reading »
It’s not uncommon for authors to try to make characters original in ways that most people hadn’t thought of. “I want my protagonist to be a cynical of the type of story they’re in,” perhaps. Or “I want her to be a sociopath who doesn’t empathize with others and has no moral code,” or “I … Continue reading »
As the world settles into the New Year, many of us are looking out our windows and seeing landscapes that are stark and simple and, well, dead. Trees are mostly bare and spindly and the earth is brown, or maybe white. And the sky gives us varying shades of gray with mere hints of the … Continue reading »
We want them to be loved. We want them to be hated. Or adored. Or admired. We want them to be embraced or reviled. This is because our characters are the most vital part of a compelling story. Writers know that a novel’s success is based on their skilled creation of characters that connect with … Continue reading »