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Writing Exercise: Describe One Thing Ten Ways
This writing exercise challenges the writer to describe something ten different ways. I chose Andre, a french bulldog whom I watch when his “mommy” and “daddy” are out-of-town. I have grown quite fond of him and he offers wondrous opportunities for description. Now, for my list, I decided to tackle description using the five senses…
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Fiction writing workshop: story structure
When planning a novel, the most helpful tool I’ve found is a thousands-year-old recipe called the three-act structure. It’s helped me plan out my novels more effectively than any fiction writing software. What is the three-act structure? Greek philosopher, Aristotle, came up with this structure. He said a good story has three acts: a beginning,…
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Writing blog roundup: make trouble, right choices, wrong words, when writing, writer’s block
Articles on writing I’ve read lately: Make trouble for your character. When in doubt, make trouble for your character. How to make the right choices for your novel. How do you know which choices are right for your novel? How to Ruin Your Novel’s Opening with a Few Wrong Words. Choosing the right set of words–the…
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Writing at the cafe
I’ve had some of my best writing sessions at a coffee shop, but I’ll be honest: sometimes I just hang out and surf the web. I’m procrastinating. I’m telling myself I’m waiting for inspiration but I confess I’ve gotten no writing done at some so-called writing sessions. Here’s an article that describes it from the…
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Periodic table of storytelling
Let this periodic table of storytelling destroy your writer’s block.
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When I Used to Go Bookcrossing
Ten years ago this month, I joined a website club called Book Crossing. The idea behind this website: release books into the wild. Here’s how it’s done. Register a book on the website. Write the registration number and “http://www.bookcrossing.com” on the inside cover of the book. Leave it someone where someone can pick it up.…
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Writing Blog Roundup: brain function, life tips, first page, three stages, writing sequence
Some blog articles on writing I’ve read recently: Brain function ‘boosted for days after reading a novel’ Being pulled into the world of a gripping novel can trigger actual, measurable changes in the brain that linger for at least five days after reading, scientists have said. Three Life-Tips That Will Make You a Better Writer.…
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What I Read in 2013
In 2003, I started keeping lists of the books I read. I compiled these lists on Amazon.com, but that wasn’t enough. I discovered Goodreads and listed every book I have ever read, including before 2003. Whenever I remember a book I read that hasn’t been listed, say a book I read back in high school…
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Fiction Writing Workshop: Voice
What is voice? Everyone pretends to understand what he means when he mentions voice in writing. I call terradiddle on that. When it comes to prose, I think people have a hard time telling the difference between voice and other elements like style and tone. I do. For now, let’s see how some writers define…
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