Category: fiction writing

  • Writing a Strong Scene

    Writing a Strong Scene

    Have you ever written a scene and wondered if it was good enough? What criteria can you use to determine whether that scene is strong or weak? Here’s a writing infographic from xterraweb.com on writing strong scenes. Photo by Mary Taylor from Pexels

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    It’s the first day of a new year, and I’m in my man cave. I’m sitting at my computer next to the window and it’s still dark outside. I can hear the rain falling and I find it soothing. First thing for 2021, I’m doing some of my favorite things: drinking caramel creme coffee; setting…

  • Some Books I Read This Year: Stories about Misfits

    Some Books I Read This Year: Stories about Misfits

    “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.” Walter Isaacson At one time or another, we all feel like a misfit. The idea of being a round peg in a square hole popped up in several novels I read…

  • Free Audiobook Available

    Free Audiobook Available

    If you have an Audible account, you can listen to Grant Faulkner’s Pep Talks for Writers for free. It’s written with NaNoWriMo in mind and can get you psyched up for National Novel Writing Month. Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

  • How I Write My Scenes

    How I Write My Scenes

    “How do I write this story?” Take a deep breath. Writing a novel or short story starts with writing one word. Then one sentence. Then one paragraph. Then one scene. Stop right there. Let’s focus on the scene in fiction writing. Scenes are the basic building blocks of the fiction process, but how do I…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    What makes writing bad? A thousand answers exist to that question. While it’s always a good idea to focus on honing the writing craft in a positive direction, knowing what not to do can’t hurt. The Bulwer Lytton contest has been showcasing disasters in fiction since the 80s. They’re cringe-worthy. They’re shocking. They’re hilarious. And…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    It’s hard to believe almost a year ago I attended my first Imaginarium conference. This event brings together writers and editors of science fiction, fantasy, horror and other genres that fit into the “speculative fiction” category. Imaginarium offers workshops on honing the fiction writing craft and marketing a writer’s products This year, due to COVID-19,…

  • You Can Never Have Too Many Character Infographics

    You Can Never Have Too Many Character Infographics

    Photo by Anfisa Eremina from Pexels

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    Well, I’ve done it. I’ve used two of my favorite things in juxtaposition: Bullet Journalling Evernote I started using Evernote to do my Bullet Journal. If you aren’t familiar with either and are interested in organizing your life, I recommend them both. Meanwhile, here are some articles on writing I’ve come across lately: How To…