What is Story Structure Anyway?
Every article, short story, novel or nonfiction book has underlying structure. Your writing is the canvas of a tent and the structure—regardless of your form or genre—are the pegs and stakes that hold it up.
Organization
Top Four Things I Love about Scrivener
Writers need writing software. I’ve been writing with Scrivener for eight years, and I love many things about using this software. Especially how easily it helps me organize my writing. When you talk about software, some programs have a hefty price tag. Others need to include a class on how to use it. For the …
Start Your Writing Practice Today
Writers write. If you dream of writing a book, you should have a writing routine, something called a writing practice in several famous books. This is not an advertisement for The Artist’s Way or Writing Down the Bones, but I believe both Julia Cameron and Natalie Goldberg have proven their authority in this field. I’ve …
Refine Your Writing Process: Revisions
Writing anything is a process. Writing a novel can be a lengthy commitment of time, energy and mental resources. Right now I’m hip deep in the mire of revisions.
Some people don’t understand how involved the revision process can be, so they think that the hard part of writing a novel is over. You know, coming up with a brilliant premise and then telling the story to the sum of 70-100 thousand words.
Reflect on 2020. Plan 2021
Plans have a way of not working out, but there won’t be any of that “planning to fail by failing to plan” in my life. Over plan? If there’s such a thing, I could be guilty of it.
The first step on forming plans is reflecting on what worked–or didn’t work–before. This post will walk you through my process for setting my goals and intentions for my writing “career.”
Method and Madness: My New Side Hustle
I’m an author. I’ve dreamed of being an author for most of my life, and now that I’ve reached the fifth decade of that life, I’m not giving up on that dream. But it needs funding. And I don’t think any of those fancy GoFundMe and the like will do it. Mostly, I don’t want …
From the Archives: “I’m Not a Playwright”
Republishing a post from the early days of my blog…back when I was earning my college degree and had to write a “Ten-Minute Script.” This was first published on my middleagedcoed WordPress blog on February 9, 2013. What do you think? Words well within me, an unquenchable passion, until my fingers transfer them to the …
The Truth About Last Wishes
Truth has taken on vague connotations in recent years, but there is one truth every sane person agrees about: no one wants to think about their death or plan for it. Those are the last wishes this post ruminates and expounds. It began for us with a simple mailer. Although for me it began five …
How NOT to Tour the UN Building: Tripping through New York City Part Three
Many cities tempt the historian or patriot or citizen within you. New York City is an international destination which invites residents of the world to peek inside the headquarters of the United Nations. As you approach the complex, the semi-circle of diverse flags flap and sway in the constant stream of cabs, commercial and private …
How NOT to Tour the UN Building: Tripping through New York City Part Three Read More »
By Special Invitation Only
You’re invited. Only a select few will receive this invitation. A smaller margin will accept it. Does it make you feel important when you get a special invite? Or only if it’s personalized? More people read this blog than I know about. If you want me to know you’re reading, leave a comment. It could …