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Find Your Writer’s Voice
When I was a writing student, one of my professors said, “Once you find your voice, this story will really shine.” As if, like my house keys, I'd simply misplaced my voice and would find it again somewhere I least expected it like inside the freezer or behind a potted...
read moreHow to Overcome Writer’s Burnout
Last summer I'd just put the finishing touches on a short story when the idea for a new story was brewing. I was in the early planning stages, uncovering the characters and developing their stories. I had a solid plan of where the plot would take them. Then suddenly,...
read moreWhy “Show, Don’t Tell” Is All Wrong
If you've been writing for more than five minutes, you've heard this old saw: Show, don't tell. There is value in this message—whether you're writing a short story, novel or memoir. But I think the takeaway gets overpowered by the mantra. Let's dig into what it really...
read moreWriting Exploration: Seeking Color
Color affects our mood. It is used in healing and therapy. It has different symbolic meanings in different cultures. We gravitate toward certain colors and shy away from others. Everything around us has a color and we’re often assigning value to it based on the color.
read moreNail the Ending: Dos and Don’ts for a Great Conclusion to Your Novel, Part 2
How do you wrap up a 300-page novel or memoir? It can be a daunting task. In the first part of this series, we reviewed the six styles of conclusions. These apply whether you're writing a novel, memoir or short story. No matter which option you choose, the ending...
read moreWhere to Find Inspiration for Your Next Story
If I’m struggling to figure out a character’s personality or a new story idea won’t come together, I will set my pages aside, at least for a little while.
read moreMy Problem With Writing Prompts
If you're seeking a bit of inspiration, a fresh perspective, or an end to writer's block, no doubt you've come across sites offering writing prompts.You can scroll through pages of imaginary scenarios and character questionnaires. Before you know it, you'll awaken...
read moreFive Tips to Keep Writing This Summer
Implement these five rules to combat the summer writing blues.
read moreNail the Ending: Write a Great Conclusion to Your Novel, Part One
Deciding the best way to end a story is, for me, like filing my taxes. I know I need to do it, but I put it off and put it off until I just slap something together in a mad dash at the last minute. I don't feel good about it, and I just hope no one notices how...
read moreThe Art of Withholding Information from the Reader
I was at a writing group recently when a fellow writer felt a few scenes in her novel were dragging. She was concerned readers would be bored. (The death knell for a novel!) The solution, she decided, was to create a bit of intrigue and drama. To do that, she is...
read moreI’m Reading
