The Outcome Can Terrorize You If there's a thousand ways to do something, there's a thousand ways to do it right. And a thousand ways to muck it up. And the truth is -- you'll never find the writing process that works for you, without stumbling through a few of those. In On Writing Well, by William [...]
There’s a bunch of apps out there to help you be a better writer. If you’re struggling with writer’s block, you may want to try a few to see what works for you. May I recommend Oblique Strategies? It’s available for both Android (here) and Apple (here) This sleek, straightforward app is designed to give […]
In my years as a developmental editor, ghostwriter, and book reviewer, I've come across a few tricks to breaking down a good story, and a few tips for assembling one. Maybe you've been told before how to outline your novel or nonfiction book, but hopefully this blog will have some new information for you. In [...]
Ad copy and poetry are about emotion. What's the result? The old tricks work for both.
Writing emotions is complicated. Do all your characters' emotions make sense? Tips for writing fiction and nonfiction.
Emotion breaks across the page in poetry. I examine how Charles Bukowski hid vulnerability in his strength.
Readers think they're smart. Be prepared to go Gonzo rather than trying to trick them.
Use chance and luck to explore subtle nuances of a character's choices and fufill their destiny.
Any time you complete a writing challenge, you encourage your own best writerly self. In today's blog, let's discuss the challenge of using action-oriented verbs to describe motion, movement, and physical sensations. Movement Is Special The universe is in constant motion. This is my understanding of its oh-so-important laws of physics. Movement is as natural [...]
Writers love to read. Learn to leverage your reading for better writing.