Stronger Narrative Structure, 3 Ways
On a panel at this year’s Creative Ink Festival, three of us talk about planning processes for strong narrative structure. The first describes himself as […]
writing tips
Creating and Sustaining Suspense and Tension, Part 2
If we create suspense and sustain tension during the plotting and drafting stages, then we save truckloads of time on revisions. Try one or more of these to […]
Creating Suspense and Sustaining Tension, Part 1
At the wonderful Creative Ink writing festival I sat on panels on creating tension and suspense. I have been thinking ever since about ways to accomplish these. And, from the […]
Four Quick Fixes for Chapter Starts and Finishes
Most writing exercises are useful in some way or other, but some take us so swiftly and directly towards our goals, that they’re worth identifying and […]
Writing Toolboxes
Internet sites talk about writers’ tool kits as if they were purchaseable equipment, but in truth our toolboxes are entirely inside our minds. We work in […]
Anticipation and Time Management for Writers
Loving the work saves writers time. Actively looking forward to writing is a powerful practice for those of us working to create a writing career within […]
Walking, Sleeping, and Writing Better
“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right.” Historian G. M. Trevelyan We’re built to walk, and our bodies benefit. Brains too, being […]
Creating a Writing Career: Think Big
Some say we write for an audience of one. Granted that our great work is writing the words that reader loves to read, we may […]
The Pop-Up Writing Space
We most likely have, each of us, a dedicated writing office space of one kind or another. Here, seated or standing at our own desk, we often […]
Using the Lag to Become Superb
A brilliant and successful writer once told me, “All writers secretly wish they were musicians or baseball players.” I don’t know whether that’s as true […]