After two days of freewriting. One with pen and paper and the other using keyboards, let’s compare the two methods. Take a look at both pieces you wrote. Which made you the most productive? Was it the longhand way of writing or using keyboards? Is the wordcount near enough the same or did you pen…
Category: Writing How Tos
Writing Challenge-Day Three
Yesterday we focused on freewriting with pen and paper. Today we turn to laptops, keyboards… Set your timer for ten minutes and once again freewrite. It could be something you see in the room, some dialogue between two characters, the opening of a new story or even random ramblings. Keep this handy because on day…
Writing Challenge Day Two
Today, set a timer for ten minutes. Pull out a pen and paper and write anything that comes into your head. Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense, or on the other hand, if it’s part of a scene for a story, a poem, an observation…whatever. When the time is up, put the paper aside….
Writing Challenge Begins on Monday
Just a quick post today as I’m putting the finishing touches to the first two of my new self paced classes. Our February writing challenge begins on Monday. Are you ready? Start thinking about the time of day you like to write. Are you someone who likes to get up early to journal or maybe…
Could You Be a Ghostwriter?
Heard of something called a ghostwriter and wondered what that means? Basically, they write for other people. You could be hired by a business person who has a brilliant idea for a book but hasn’t got the time or talent to write it themselves. Could be someone needing to give a speech but doesn’t know…
February Writing Challenge
Are you ready for a writing challenge? We’re ten days away from February, the shortest month of the year so let’s have a writing challenge here at This Writer’s Life? Each day, I’ll post something that I hope will inspire you to write that day. It could be a prompt or a writing tip or…
Writing-One Style Does Not Fit All
Have you ever picked up a writing how to book and followed the tips only to find they don’t work? Before you go blaming the author for giving you worthless advice, think about this… Think about something besides writing that you wanted to learn. Drive a car, learn to ski, play the guitar… Did you…
Five Exercises for Creating Characters Your Reader Will Love
My plot’s going nowhere. I can’t seem to get past chapter three. Sound familiar? Think it’s a plotting problem? Well, it might be but most of the time it’s a character problem. You’ve spent weeks working on your plot but haven’t given any thought to the type of person or persons who will live your…
Publishing Trends for 2021
Want to get published in 2021? I really do wish I had all the answers for you but this post is based on what I’m seeing in articles, trends and by checking out various publishing platforms. For the first time, lots of things seem up in the air right now. However, here’s a brief run…
Biggest Writing Hurdle
If I asked you what you feel is the biggest hurdle to getting a book written what would be your answer? If you would have asked me that about ten years ago, I would have quickly responded, lack of a good plot, flat characters, etc. However, after tutoring, teaching and coaching, here’s the answer Lack…