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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

creative writing ideas

Make Your Characters Roar: Character Development Using Animal Totems

April 12, 2018 by Lori Devoti Leave a Comment
character development with animal totems

Character development can be hard work. You want to create characters who ring true, but who are also interesting and unique. You also want them to be consistent. You don’t want them hopping from one feel to another and get comments from readers that your characters are unbelievable. I like to use the Enneagram for … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: character development, Character ideas, creative writing ideas

Story Setting Ideas List of Writing Prompts

February 8, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 16 Comments

Setting can make or break a story. Setting can be so important to story, in fact, that the setting can almost become a character itself.  So when looking for story inspiration why not start with setting? The DaVinci Code begins with a murder in the Louvre. The story of Sarah’s Key had to take place in … [Read more…]

Posted in: Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: brainstorming ideas, creative writing ideas, muse

A Gift Created From Your Writer’s Heart

December 5, 2012 by Kathy Steffen 4 Comments
gifts for writers

A one of a kind gift from your heart is the best gift to receive and to give. Put your writing skills to work to make someone’s holiday special. Here are some ideas, so put your creative writing talents to work!

Posted in: Inspiration, Writing Life Tagged: creative writing ideas, gifts from writers

10 Quick Tips to Get in the Writing Mood.

November 21, 2012 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments
writing goals

Use any or all of these techniques to get yourself back in the writing groove right NOW!

Posted in: Inspiration, Writing Life Tagged: creative writing ideas, muse, writing inspiration

Writing Prompts Summer: The Time is Write

July 22, 2011 by Kathy Steffen Leave a Comment
writing prompts summer

Along with a myriad of reasons to enjoy the beautiful summer comes a wonderful writing opportunity. All you need to do is go outside and invoke one of the greatest writing rules: Observe everything. Not sure where to start or what to do? Take this list and a pen and paper (or voice recorder or laptop) outside and start writing.

Posted in: Writing Prompts Tagged: creative writiing, creative writing exercises, creative writing ideas, creative writing prompts

Featured Book

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

Want help plotting great stories that grab readers?

The Writer’s Journey is on our MUST read list.

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Save The Cat!
by Blake Snyder

A book on screenwriting that is great for novelists too! Another must have for your How To Write library.

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