Writing Tips
Sound Bytes: Part 4 of Writing with Sensory Details – Sandi Somers
Beethoven discovered he was losing his hearing as early as age 25. For a musician, nothing could be more disastrous. In his depression he wrote, “Alas! How could I possibly refer to the impairing of a sense which in me should have been more perfectly developed than in other people, a sense which at one… Read more »
Fiction Writing 101: Part 8 — Janice Dick
In my Fiction Writing 101 series, I often refer to James Scott Bell and his writing books and tools, especially Plot & Structure. My copy is well-marked and highlighted. That’s where I first heard the differentiation between an OP and a NOP. OPs are Outline People, NOPs are Non-Outline People. The abbreviations are easy to… Read more »
Good Intentions — Brenda Wood
Does anyone else have a closet full of impulsive good intentions? I used to rush out to buy the materials for a new craft I wanted to learn, or fabric for another quilt. I signed up for a class or bought a novel I’d always wanted to read, but because I didn’t make time for… Read more »
What are you looking for in a blog — Carolyn R. Wilker
The May topic on my newsletter, FineTuned, focused on starting a blog. There I advised writers to begin a blog only if they are serious about continuing it. It takes a lot of content, and some effort to keep it going. And it’s best to have topics broad enough to address week after week and… Read more »
How to Write 9,000 Words per Hour and Not Wear Yourself Out — Jack Popjes
If you are like most writers, you keep a daily journal, not only for the ordinary events of life, but for the more interesting experiences—the stuff of anecdotes—as well as descriptions of people, locations, and ideas for story plots and twists. Those of us who started writing decades ago probably have shelves of handwritten journals,… Read more »
Writing as Therapy — Nikki Rosen
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott has always been one of my favourite books. It’s a story full of compassion, grace, hope and transformed lives. However, the author is more known for her book, Little Women. Publisher Thomas Niles suggested Alcott write a book about girls. He thought that would have widespread appeal. At first,… Read more »
Fiction Writing 101:Part 7 — The Plot Thickens — Janice Dick
What is plot—besides a piece of ground used to bury dead people? (That’s from James Scott Bell in Plot & Structure.) In my mind, plot is the story itself, with a beginning, middle and end. Of course there are literary works that don’t follow any of the rules, not even as guidelines, but I’m thinking… Read more »
A Writer Prays About His Work — Jack Popjes
Good morning, God, You gave me this writing *gift. You built it into my DNA and you want me to stir it up, and you are helping me to develop it. You bring people into my life to encourage me and to mentor me. What’s more, you are the one who puts the ideas into… Read more »
Waste Not, Want Not — Brenda Wood
Because I am a stasher beyond compare, I plan to make Nancy Zieman’s no-sew fabric wreath. You see, it will use up all those leftover bits and pieces from my fabric stash. I can’t bear to throw them away because they are so pretty. Realistically though, they are too small for an apron and not… Read more »
Writing, even when it’s hard to do — Carolyn R. Wilker
In January, blogger and author Jeff Goins issued a challenge to fellow writers to write 500 words a day for the month of January. He not only issued the challenge, but he also offered a list of things to write about. While I used the word count for my own projects, journalling and letter writing,… Read more »