Many of us started out writing stories based on childhood happenings: being picked on by a bully, feeling left out, falling off a rope swing, getting a pony, getting bucked off a pony. (Hey, there’s got to be someone else … Continue reading
I turned my short story in yesterday and I’ve discovered what happens when a Plotter tries to write as a Pantser: the story comes out well, but when Pantser gets to the end of the story and she finally has … Continue reading
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? The beginning or the end? When you write a story, do you start by knowing the characters and the opening, and then write to see where it takes you? (Option 1, … Continue reading
Do you ever dream of what you would do to get back at someone? Or are you too nice? Even if you’re an understanding person, your character doesn’t have to be. What kind of revenge would he or she take … Continue reading
I’m not doing NaNoWriMo this year. There, I’ve admitted it out loud. I’ve decided to spend my sanity on keeping up with my homework as a “returning mature student,” developing my blog, and finishing (yes, you read that right), finishing … Continue reading
Here are five writing prompts that ask the classic writer’s question, “What if?” Each of these could create hundreds of story lines depending on the writer’s choices. Where would you take it? What if . . . your brother and … Continue reading
The writing prompts here are geared to some of my younger blog readers, but can be used by anyone – just adapt to something that relates to you and your experience, which is the role of a story starter anyway. … Continue reading
What’s the definition of literary fiction? What’s the difference between literary and commercial fiction? Is one better than the other? Enquiring minds want to know! One writing instructor I had defined literary fiction as anything in the fiction part of … Continue reading
“Where do you get your ideas?” is one of the most common questions a writer hears. The answer is: everywhere! Once you start writing regularly, you find yourself with more ideas than you can write about at any given time. … Continue reading
Friends can be stumbling blocks to your writing: interruptions, temptations & invitations, not to mention occasional put-downs and other negatives. But your friends can also further your writing, whether they know it or not! 1. Borrow your friend’s mannerisms or … Continue reading