This week it’s all about songs. If you’re writing a short story, your character decides to write a song. What is it about? Does he or she sing it for someone and what’s the result? Do they have a winning song on their hands or something they’d rather forget? If you’re going the journaling…
Author: This Writer's Life
Hi Susan-Transforming Stories From Ideas
Time for another Hi Susan and this one was asked by Kimberley… I have a ton of ideas rattling around in my head. First of all, how do I make sure I don’t forget any gems? Second question, how do I determine if one’s good enough to become a story? I loved these questions…
Monday Motivation-You Are Talented
Why do I love this quote and why do I think it’s motivating? It reminds us that we all have a talent to give to the world. (Maybe even one other human being who’d love to have you share your skill and knowledge with them). I’m guessing for most of you reading this it’s your writing and storytelling…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Short and Sweet
As the title says, short and sweet, and that’s what this Ramblings is going to be. It’s been a week off from teaching for me and to be honest, I haven’t done a lot. Monday kicks off a new teaching month with Crafting The Short Story/Novella. Here’s the link to sign up if you’re…
Wednesday Writing/Journal Prompt-Fireworks
It’s Fourth of July tomorrow and that means fireworks. For this week’s writing prompt, your story focuses on your character getting ready to watch a firework display What happens? Do they make it there on time? Is it as great as they’d hoped or does something go wrong? Maybe he or she doesn’t even make…
Goal Setting-Be Specific
We’re just about at the half way point of 2019. A great time to look back at the first six months and ahead to the final half of the year. What goals did you set for 2019? Have you achieved any or all of them? Here are five tips for making sure each one is given…
Monday Motivation-Don’t Let Them Get You Down
I might have told this story before here at TWL, but just in case I didn’t, or you’re new to the site, here goes. I’d been writing for about three or four years and sent a manuscript for a romance story to a new publishing company who had a somewhat famous editor at the…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Goodbye June, Hello July
June is drawing to a close. I can tell that July is just around the corner because it’s hot and humid today. Up till now it’s been perfect sit outside and read weather. So much so, I’m well over half way through my summer reading list. June’s class is also history so it’s time…
A Little Known Tool for Every Writer
Say hello to this week’s guest blogger Nina Beaumont… I’d like to talk about one of my favorite stylistic devices in my writer toolbox—body language. Using posture, gestures, movements, and facial expressions, you can show your characters’ innermost feelings, set the atmosphere of the scene, and engage with your reader’s senses. In real life,…
Wednesday Writing/Journal Prompts-Vacation
This week it’s all about vacations. Think back to one you took. If you’re going the journal route, write a couple of pages about it. Which one do you remember the most and why? If you’re the short story writer, then your prompt is to have your character head out on vacation. Where is…