By Glynn Young My wife and I have been to England several times for vacation, but this time it was vacation with a book twist. Shortly before we left, I had finished a manuscript and turned it over to the publisher. The story is set in Britain and mostly London. But it was with a huge feeling of relief that …
Beyond Sense of Place
by Gail Gaymer Martin Setting should be more than sense of place. It can add deeper meaning to your story by reflecting the theme or mood. It can enhance the plot with situations built into the setting that can foreshadow situations or problems. It can influence the character’s emotions and actions. When you begin your novel, ask yourself these questions: …
Pay It Forward
By Patricia Bradley In my writing journey I’ve met some of the most amazing people, writers who have taken the time to help me along my journey. Some have been critique partners, some have been teachers at different conferences or on-line classes I’ve attended, and some have been judges in the contests I’ve entered. This week I’ve been thinking about …
Book to Movie?
by Michael Hicks Thompson What author doesn’t want their book made into a movie? It’s what launched John Grisham’s career. Remember The Firm? How’d Grisham accomplish that feat? Serendipity, for one. He took his manuscript to Willie Morris, the famous author from Yazoo City, Mississippi. At the time, Willie was Writer in Residence at Ole Miss. Grisham asked Willie to …
Lessons Learned from NaNoWriMo
by Christa Kinde I first heard about NaNoWriMo from writing friends. They talked about the annual event with a blend of reverence and enthusiasm that made me curious. For those not in the know, November is National Novel Writing Month, and participants attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Exactly the sort of crazy scheme I enjoy. For the …
One Foolproof Way to Improve Your Writing
by Beth K. Vogt Let’s talk about one way to improve your writing. One tip. Two words: Slow down. That’s it. Want to be a better writer? Slow down. How does slowing down improve your writing? Consider these three examples: I’m a huge fan of fast drafting my manuscript – writing with forward motion, internal editor turned off, and with …
Total Recharge
By Darlene L. Turner Josiah trudged along the narrow path. He stopped, shifted his backpack, and forced himself to keep moving in spite of the shooting pain coursing through his leg. He kept his mind focused on the solitude of his mountaintop destination. The agony of the climb would be worth it. It had been a rough six months with …
Paying It Forward
By Lenora Livingston “Paying it Forward” is an expression for describing the recipient of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor. What better way can a person show their thankfulness than to participate in the rippling effects of goodness. At age 78, I wish I could go back and thank my teachers who most …
Learning to Write Mannascripts
By Bethany Turner A few days ago, my son asked, “Is there still manna?” I said, “What do you mean? It’s not manufactured, if that’s what you’re asking…” “Well, no,” he laughed. “I didn’t mean like at Manna-R-Us, or something.” (He’s eleven, and a little too smart and witty—and sarcastic—for his own good, sometimes.) “I mean is there any left?” …
Making it right….
by Roxanne Rustand When someone refers to their “writing journey,” I think back to my own journey and my own misconceptions back in the early 1990’s. It all seemed so clear back then. Write. Be dedicated. Absorb everything I heard at writers’ conferences, study my books on writing and the scores of writing workshop tapes I listened to endlessly. It …