Writing New Worlds
I called my mom not too long ago. We exchanged the usual pleasantries (How is everything on your end? How are the kids?), then I moved forward with a "So mom, I have a quick question for you." By now, my mom has learned to approach this transition with a very open mind. Today, I …
I almost passed this prompt by. It brought to mind the first thing that likely will go through your head too when you read it. Though maybe the first thing in your mind will be something completely different. That's the point of this, after all. Eh, it's been done, I figured, scrolling down. Then I …
Continue reading "The Writing Prompt Project, part 4: AFTER"
I woke up early today. The house is quiet, the sky is still dark. This is one of my favorite times of the day. Usually at night I'm so exhausted that I fight to keep my eyes open, which isn't the best way to approach a writing session. The stillness of a dark house mixed …
Continue reading "Sources of Creativity: Creation vs Escapism"
How many people have sat at their computer, word processor open in front of them and a wistful sigh on their lips: "If I had time, I'd love to write a novel." Okay, maybe I'm making the scene a little more dramatic than it needs to be, but you get the idea. Let's be honest, …
Continue reading "Finding the Time (when you don’t have it)"
I sat down the other day to read a book. It's a fantasy book I've been interested in reading for a while now - the Magicians by Lev Grossman. It's an interesting premise, and I've watched some of the show so I know it has the darkness I really like in my fiction. First, let …
This was a writing prompt I stumbled across a long time ago. It stuck with me, but I was never sure what to do with it. I finally felt the spark, so here you go. Disclaimer: As usual, I take no credit for the writing prompt featured. This is an exercise of taking a presented …
Continue reading "The Writing Prompt Project, part 3: CAMP WHITEPINE"
Today I'm shifting my focus to the other end of the spectrum. We spend so much time working on our projects and ironing out their details that it's easy for the little things (the really important little things) to slip by. But it's vital to keep them in mind as we go, or we'll lose …
Continue reading "Gratitude: Bring Good into the World, to Bring Good into Yours"
Way back when, I went to school for business, specializing in Accounting. At my school, we had very complex, Hogwartsian politics between the four specialties. First, there's Accounting. We were clearly Gryffindor. We were those brave souls who faced our enemies with the cry of "no, it's not in the budget". We were the unsung …
Continue reading "How to Pitch your Novel: Writing a High Concept Pitch"
If you ask someone what sticks with them most after reading a book, the answer is usually the same: The characters. Reading a novel is not a light endeavor. You're devoting hours of your life (or days, or longer) to another person's imagination, investing yourself into their words. Plot carries you through the movements, but …
