Why write fiction? There are loads of reasons to not start, or to quit, writing fiction. Here are just a few… There are too many people writing, now more than ever. The odds are not in your favor for grabbing an agent or publisher’s attention. You won’t get rich. The work takes years. It’s a … [Read more…]
One of the biggest challenges I find in writing is picking the perfect title. Book titles, story or essay, doesn’t matter. They’re all difficult. But picking the perfect book title? There’s a lot of pressure on that one. Being a novelist means I like to use many words. A one-to-five word title can throw me … [Read more…]
When creative challenges present themselves, what is your first reaction? Embarrassingly, my first reaction in the past has been NO WAY!! Recently, I had an opportunity to write an introspective political essay. A chance to be serious, honest, and dig into myself to uncover deep feelings. My first reaction? NO WAY!!! Yet, something (inspiration? my … [Read more…]
Creating a garden (or even being in one) is wonderful inspiration for writing. Keeping a garden journal is the perfect way to enjoy both. If you are a gardener, you can use your journal to make notes, develop to-do lists, plan your space, keep planting records and include photos of your garden as it begins … [Read more…]
Writing is about choosing powerful, interesting, and specific words to keep your readers engaged no matter what you are writing. Keeping readers engaged means making every word count. And nothing puts me more in the mood for a session of word-nerding than wisdom from Mark Twain. ~~~ “The difference between the almost right word & … [Read more…]