Two Hundred Thirty-six years ago, a group of individuals determined they wanted to live a life independently of the queen’s rule. They came up with a plan. Their resolve was so strong, they made bold statements such as, “give me liberty, or give me death!” The so believed in their dream, they were not deterred. Roadblocks were obliterated. Enemies were crushed and they gallantly fought for what they knew was their destiny. Their cry was freedom. Nothing stopped them and, when the last musket fired and the last redcoat retreated, the United States of America was born. I know you have a dream of being a published author… or at least a writer. You think of it often. That desire ignited a flame inside you. But something is holding you […]
Read the RestArchive | June, 2012
So You Want to be A Writer? Well, What Should You Write?
I love writing. I love words. I started doodling in a little girl’s diary when I was six years old. I read every night before bed all through elementary and junior high school. Biographies were my favorite. But I never focused my writing. I wrote from my heart about my life. Writing a set story was harder. Because it required discipline. As a journalism major, I had to learn to write within the rules or guidelines. I had to write factual and objective. Back in the ‘80s, journalist were taught to be objective. It was the pride of the profession. The discipline combined with my natural bent toward writing gave me confidence. I once told a colleague I could write about a pile of dirt if required. Yet when I […]
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Don’t Get Blogged Down
This may seem like a odd topic, but I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about how some of you are following so many blogs you don’t have time to write. Of course I’m also hearing from some who haven’t committed to following any blogs because of a fear that there won’t be any time to write. Either extreme will blog…er…bog down your career. All kidding aside, as a writer it’s vitally important to continue your education. And blogs can be an extremely efficient way to do this. I can hear the chorus of complaints now. There are millions of blogs out there—how do I find one that’s worthwhile? How do I narrow down my choices—do I have to read hundreds to find one that fits what I need? Where […]
Read the RestQuick Skills: Inserting the 5 Senses into your Storyworld
I am a “List and Schedule” girl – I like to have a checklist when I build a scene to make sure I’ve inserted everything into it that I can to give it the strongest emotional impact. One of those checklists, and something commonly missed are the five senses. To really draw your Storyworld, you need to use your five senses to engage the reader’s emotions. Sight. Smell. Sound. Touch.Taste. When you walk into a room, all your senses are a part of your understanding of that scene. Before you sit down to write, make a sensory list of everything you perceive in that scene. You’ll use it as a “cheat sheet” as you build the scene. Sight, of course, is what a scene is usually built on, but remember […]
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