“No, put it there.” “No, over there.” “On the bureau, can’t you see?” “What bureau?” “The one in the bedroom!” Discussions about space sometimes plague us. Where do we file that client information? Where do we put the new hire? … Continue reading →
After taking a creative writing class last quarter, I was introduced to an interesting website that I think many people will find helpful. It’s called Duotrope’s Digest. It’s free to sign up and you can essentially shop around your story … Continue reading →
How many of you use a pen and paper to write? A handwritten journal? Post-it notes?? Yeah, I thought so. Not very many of you. I’ve learned in doing Prompt Group meetings for the last couple years that modern Americans … Continue reading →
Sitting in a rainstorm with a dead car battery, I can’t help comparing this situation to my writing. For various reasons, work stress among them, I feel too drained by day’s end to write. It’s like my characters have abandoned … Continue reading →
Just like a lot of things in this world, stories come in all sizes. When I was younger, nothing short of a novel length tale really got my juices flowing. Whether it was because I had more time for such … Continue reading →
It was Juliet Capulet (via our friend [enemy to some] Billy Shakespeare) who first asked: “What is in a name?” Well, the answer is nothing. And everything. If you’re writing, then you need to make sure that the name is … Continue reading →
This week we are taking a look at motivation and the dreaded middle section of a story. I find it ironic that this title is, relatively, the middle of this series. What’s up with the middle being a bad thing? … Continue reading →
Last post I discussed beginning a new story, how to begin, and what tools we use. I mentioned a often-used acronym, BICHOK. Butt in chair, hands on keys. Here’s where that little mantra really becomes important. Learn it, know it, … Continue reading →
So, we’ve got all these wonderful characters talking in our heads, a fabulous plot, a gorgeous setting. We may or may not have an outline, depending on whether we like that sort of thing or prefer to wing it. Now … Continue reading →
This week we will take a look at researching stories. First up, what exactly does research encompass? Quite a lot actually. Of course, there are historical facts. Names, dates, places, major events. It also covers social and political ideas of … Continue reading →