Category: writing
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Writing Advice Page Updated
Have you ever wished you knew more about writing short stories and novels? How to write realistic dialogue? How to create smooth prose? I’ve updated my writing advice page by collecting links to articles on fiction elements. Feel free to explore them to hone your writing craft through learning or reference. Topics include: Backstory Beats…
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Ways to Enrich Writing Skills
This writing infographic is from the website of Nicholas C. Rossis, Dream Protecting Author. Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels
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Friday’s Findings
One of my goals this year is to write at least one or two short stories. Short fiction is a great way to get some writing practice in — hone the craft, so to speak — and attain the satisfaction of completing a writing project. What are some writing goals for you in 2021? Inspirations…
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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
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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…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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,…