There’s nothing worse than staring at the blank page or flashing cursor on your laptop screen. Don’t waste time, don’t panic, just start writing, even if it has nothing to do with the story you intend to write. Think of this as a warm up for the day. 99% of the time, it’s all you…
Tag: books
Accept the Challenge-Location, Location, Location
Ready for this week’s challenge? This one is a combination of a character, a photo and a line of dialogue. Here’s the challenge. Your main POV character is a real estate agent. They’ve just agreed to sale this abandoned property. Somewhere in the story they have to say the line, location, location, location. Hope you…
Wednesday Guest Author-Anne Hamilton Fowler
It’s Wednesday and time for another guest author. In fact, she’s a return guest author, please welcome back to This Writer’s Life, Anne Hamilton Fowler…. Thank you, Susan for inviting me back to contribute today. For those readers who read my post a few years ago, let me refresh your memory! I grew up in…
What Would I do If I Was a Beginning Writer Again?
I’m often asked what would I do if I had to start all over again? A new writer who wanted to get published? I’ll be honest, the world of publishing has changed a lot since I first put pen to paper way back in 1987. There are less publishing companies today, but on the other…
Monday Writing Wisdom-Don’t Plan Your Ending
Do you plan the ending of the book? Or does the ending surprise you? Sometimes actually writing the book can take your story in a whole new direction you never saw coming.
Accept the Challenge-3 Lines of Dialogue
A new challenge that I hope you’ll enjoy… Here are three lines of dialogue. “That will have to do.” “I told you this would happen.” “It’s going to rain tomorrow.” The challenge is to weave all three into your story. One could be at the beginning, one in the middle and one the final words…
Monday Writing Wisdom-Choosing the Right Word
One thing that can take your writing to the next level is choosing the right words. Sometimes one word can do the work of several paragraphs. This week do an exercise where you free write and then go back and see what words you can replace or even eliminate and compare the two.
Accept The Challenge-Opposites
Did you know that today is Opposites Day? This week’s challenge is to write a story based on opposites. Maybe it’s a couple who are complete opposites? Perhaps it’s someone who decides to celebrate it by doing the opposite of what everyone else does and says? I think this one could be lots of fun…
Monday Writing Wisdom-Are You a Reader?
I don’t know a writer who wasn’t an avid reader before they became an author. Devote as much time as you can for writing but leave some time for reading. Reading is great for basic and continuing writing education.
Accept The Challenge-Snapshot
Are you ready to accept this week’s challenge? Our scenario for this week is your character purchases an old camera…yes, the type where you had to buy film and have it developed. Your character finds a bargain camera at a flea market. When they bring it home, they realize there’s an old film in there….