Words & Deeds

July 26, 2015

It’s a Squirrel-y World

Humor & Wordplay/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

July 25, 2015

Danger! Danger! Homophone Misuse!

A fabulous way to turn off educated readers (and editors) is consistently using the wrong homophone. It’s a simple misunderstanding that could cost big time. Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meaning. They may be spelled the same or have different spellings. To get started, we are going to focus on two homophone problems that are all...

General Thoughts & Updates/Grammar & Editing Comments: 0

July 24, 2015

50 Word Stories: Another Way to Challenge Yourself

Whenever you restrict yourself to a specific form or word count, you’re going to have to work your brain and flex your writing muscles. One of the most famous examples in writing legend (true or not) is the story of Ernest Hemingway writing a short story in 6 words as a bet. The result? For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn....

Challenging Exercises/General Thoughts & Updates/Quotes, Words, & Phrases/Writing Prompts Comment: 1

July 24, 2015

Quick Questions for Fixing Character Behavior

In “Who’s Driving This Plot?” I talked about how if a character’s choices or actions are unbelievable it pushes the reader out of the story. Sometimes as a writer, what you thought the character would do and what the character actually would do are not the same thing. But how do you figure out what the character really would do...

Characterization, Plot, & Setting/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 0

July 23, 2015

Writing Prompt Game

This is a story-telling game I used to play in college with friends. It’s been used in movies. I’ve seen songwriters use it as a challenge for each other. It even gets pulled up from time to time as an icebreaker. Yeah, I know, the last one isn’t helping my case. But give it a chance. This is both an...

Challenging Exercises/Creativity Builders/for Children/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

July 22, 2015

Why Your Best Idea May Not Be the Best Choice

You may not want to pick your favorite writing idea for your first novel. I’m not saying you can’t, but I would like to point out some reasons to consider working on something else. 9 times out of 10, your first book is not going to be very good. At least, it won’t be your best. If you think about...

General Thoughts & Updates/Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 0

July 21, 2015

Words to Fear By…

Humor & Wordplay/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comment: 1

July 20, 2015

Spice Up Your Writing: Add Imagery

Want to spice up your writing? Add some imagery. Although named for sight, imagery is a technique that uses words to appeal to any of the senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, & taste). Because memories and emotions are closely linked to our senses, imagery is especially good for arousing the reader’s emotions. It’s also helpful for offering the writer more ways...

Literary Devices & Writing Techniques Comments: 11

July 19, 2015

Writer, Challenge Thyself!

Writing is like running. If you run the same distance at the same speed over the same terrain every day, you’re not going to get stronger. You’re not going to improve your stamina. In fact, your body will adapt to the run, and you will actually get less benefit from the exercise. Plus, if you run in the same place...

Creative Process/General Thoughts & Updates Comment: 1

July 18, 2015

What Makes a Writer?

I came across an article this morning that reminds me of a scene from Sister Act 2 where Whoopi Goldberg’s character gives a book called Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke to a troubled teen. In this scene, Whoopi describes Rilke’s response when someone wrote to him, asking how to become a writer: “Don’t ask me about being a writer. If when you...

General Thoughts & Updates Comments: 0