We’re at the mid-point of summer. Did you set any goals? If so, how are you doing? I’ve found putting everything in a month by month to do list folder on my laptop is a big help. Anyone else tried that and liked it? A new class…boot camp begins on Monday. It’s all about writing…
Author: This Writer's Life
Writing From Experience
Today, J. L. Regen is back guest blogging and telling us about how things that happen in life sometimes find a way into books. And she’s happy to share the news that her book is nominated for Romance Book of the Year by Readers Choice Good luck, we’re cheering for you. I was dating a man like…
Wednesday Writing/Journal Prompts-Saving to Buy
This week’s prompt focuses on saving to buy something. For the short story writer-what is it your character hopes to buy? How are they saving their money and what are they doing to earn the money? Something legal, perhaps not so legal? Something fun? Do they reach their goal? If you’re journaling, think back…
Should Lead Characters Be Nice People?
Here’s a question for you…should lead characters be nice people? My vote is for yes. I’ve been thinking about this all day because last night I watched a new series on Netflix with a main character who I thought was, well, hopefully someone I won’t ever meet in real life. It’s not the first series with a main…
Monday Motivation-Small Steps Lead to Big Gains
You can interrupt this quote by Richard Branson a couple of ways. I like to think that it reminds me that every project starts with small steps. If you’re not willing to put time and effort into those (for example, research for your book, fleshing out your character), then you’ll probably fail at the…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Goodbye July
I know I say it every month, but I can’t believe how fast July has flown by. I hate to think that summer will soon be a memory…although I do love fall too. As one class ends, another one will shortly begin and this time it’s on the same topic. Crafting a short story and/or…
Title Bout
Here’s today’s guest blogger, Richard Prosch… I can’t start writing anything without a title. Maybe it’s a specific quirk I have, or maybe a lot of writers are like me. I don’t know, but everything longer than a shopping list requires a bold heading, front and center, and—hopefully—something that hints at clever or catchy. …
Wednesday Writing/Journal Prompts-Roads
It’s a title prompt this week. For those of you writing a short story, the title is… The Road Less Traveled What does that mean to your character? Are they about to embark on a journey? Is it somewhere new or some place they return to often? For those wanting to journal, what does…
Self-Publishing is a Gift To Writers (and let’s not forget it)
I’ve been talking about my summer reading list and how I didn’t finish three of the books. I chose another three and today, gave up reading the first one on this new list. Please excuse me if I now climb onto my soapbox. I can’t say for sure if all the books on my didn’t read…
Monday Motivation-Nothing’s a Mistake
Let’s use this quote by Tina Fey to remind us to learn from our writing mistakes. We all make them. Sometimes they’re pointed out by our critique partners or editors. They don’t make us any less of the wonderful writers that we are…unless of course, we don’t do something to fix them. Use mistakes…