Last day in November, last day of teaching workshops for the year, first day that snow has fallen and is sticking around. Thank you to Meredith for guest blogging this week. And while I’m on the subject of saying thank you and workshops. A huge thank you to everyone who’s taken one of my workshops,…
Author: This Writer's Life
The Compulsion to Publish
Say hello to guest blogger, Meredith Bond, who tells us why she writes… There’s recently been a thread on a discussion group I follow (I rarely participate, but I always read the postings of others) about why people publish what they’ve written. There have been some really interesting responses. Some people want immortality, to be…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Your Selling What!
I always say when you’re lost for story ideas look at your life. We all get those annoying phone calls, trying to sell us something, or wanting us to upgrade a service. That’s what happens to your character. He or she gets a phone call from someone selling them something strange. What is the…
The Blank Page-Friend Not Enemy
I always tell my writing students to not overthink their plot, their characters, and to simply get what’s in their head down on paper. It sounds easy but some of them tell me they’ll still struggling with that blank page. I know I’ve been in their position at one point. New exercise book open…
Monday Motivation-Time Can Be On Your Side
I saw this quote which is applicable to everything we’re trying to achieve but never more so than writing a book. If you really want to write a story, you’ll find someway to squeeze in ten minutes here or there to do it.
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Lazy, Rainy, Friday Afternoon
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And thank you to this week’s guest bloggers, Tarina and Mary. Anyone had today off work? I decided to take two days off. Well, I say that but I still sneaked in a couple of things. This morning I did some online Christmas shopping and this afternoon did some…
Making the Minutes Count – 4 Tips to Write More When You Have No Time
Say hello to guest blogger Tarina Deaton who tells us how to make the most of our time… “Where do you find the time?” I am asked this question a lot. Let me back up and explain why I am asked that question. I am active duty military, so “I work full-time” is an…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Where Is Everyone?
It’s almost Black Friday and lots of people will head to the malls to shop. For this prompt your character is one of them but when they arrive at the mall it’s empty. Your character says the words where is everyone and for the rest of the story, he or she sets out to…
Writing through Adversity
Here’s Mary Winter, today’s guest blogger… When life happens the muse often decides to go on vacation. It can be tough for writers to get back into the swing of things, especially when the pressures of life seem to get in the way. Dealing with financial stresses, job stressors, and family worries can zap you of…
Monday Motivation-Stop Talking and Just Do It!
I was searching for a quote for this post and found this one by the late Jackie Collins which I think says it all… “If you want to be a writer-stop talking about it and sit down and write!” ― Jackie Collins