Andrew M. Friday

Category: writing tips

  • Say It Aloud

    Say It Aloud

    “If you’re using dialogue, say it aloud as you write it. Only then will it have the sound of speech.” -John Steinbeck  Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-using-laptop-4051170/

  • Daydreaming and the Writer

    Daydreaming and the Writer

    “You have to actually write. Daydreaming about the book you’re going to write someday isn’t writing. It’s daydreaming. Open your word processor and start writing.” -Andy Weir Photo by Rhalf Ryan Gejon: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-with-blindfolded-eyes-5674427/

  • Friday’s Findings: Doing Whatever It Takes

    Friday’s Findings: Doing Whatever It Takes

    The title of today’s blog entry refers to an update on my writing progress. I’ve been stuck for several weeks. I’ve been having trouble finishing even one scene. I decided to take action. In my science fiction novel, my characters spend about twenty scenes on a planet called Zonvillon. I had already written a couple…

  • The One Thing You Have to Offer as a Writer

    The One Thing You Have to Offer as a Writer

    Photo by Steve Johnson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-and-red-abstract-painting-1789968/

  • Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

    Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

    “You’re going to suck when you start. Sucking when you start is okay. Every new project, no matter how brilliant the idea at the heart of it happens to be, is going to start by sucking. Just deal with it, and soldier through. Every sentence is a learning experience.” -Seanan McGuire

  • Friday’s Findings: The Heat

    Friday’s Findings: The Heat

    Photo by moein moradi: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-a-burning-fire-672636/

  • Friday’s Findings: Storyboarding Is for Those Who Think Visually

    Friday’s Findings: Storyboarding Is for Those Who Think Visually

    Storyboarding is a way to outline your novel. I love this idea! The storyboard concept is borrowed from the animation industry. It’s a way to plan out your novel or short story using panels of illustrations. Here are some tips: It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can draw stick figures if it helps. If…

  • Waiting for the Right Idea When Writing

    Waiting for the Right Idea When Writing

    I just put placeholders into the text, and then at some point a better idea might occur to me—or it might not—and I go back. I have a big whiteboard above my desk, and if I have even half of a good idea I write it down on the whiteboard and see if I like…

  • Friday’s Findings: Punctuating Inner Monologue

    Friday’s Findings: Punctuating Inner Monologue

    For a while now, I have been trying to navigate the way to format and punctuate inner dialogue. I’m always asking myself Am I doing this right? when I’m creating a scene. So, I decided to do a little deep dive into unlocking the minds of my characters. Or to be more specific, how to…