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Posts by Carly Sandifer

Nov 4

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Find writing success with a buddy

Everyone should have a writing buddy. My blogging partner Carol Despeaux and I have been writing together since we met at a writing conference three years ago and realized we were both working on memoirs.

Over the past several years, we’ve critiqued each other’s work, brainstormed story ideas, and given each other pep talks (“Go Speedwriter Go”).  We’ve shared writing craft ideas, teaching resources, and favorite books.

We feel that with each other’s support, we can progress faster with our writing goals. Because Carol knows my “story,” she can offer insights and point out meaning that I might not see because I’m too close to it. She can spot areas that aren’t clear or could benefit from elaboration. And I do the same for her.

When I need a laugh, she sends me a funny photo of her cats Simba, Precious, and Teddy Bear. And when she needs to smile, I send her the latest photo of Mr. Cat. Read more

Nov 2

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The MacGuvyer version of the commonplace writers’ notebook

I’m going all MacGuyver on you today to tell you about a writer’s tool that you may want when you’re in a situation where you can’t carry a handbag or have limited pocket space. Or maybe you’re floating down the Amazon River or on a camp out with no electricity for charging small electronics.

It’s the Hipster PDA (Parietal Disgorgement Aid). I learned about it from the 43 Folders website and have made Hipster PDAs for students in my writing classes.

Advantages of the Hipster PDA:

  1. No battery required.
  2. Slim size makes it great for when you’re traveling light.
  3. Easy and inexpensive to make. Read more

Nov 1

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Hook readers with these first-page techniques

Before you can reel readers into your story world, you have to hook them with your first page. I find inspiration from reading other writers and seeing how they created a compelling beginning.

Here are a few concepts to consider as you craft your beginning with examples from three authors.

Narrative and character attitude. Imagine you walk into a room and you’re engaging with people and observing the feeling of the place. Are the people angry, happy, tired, or sarcastic? Like rooms full of people, stories have a narrative and a character attitude or feeling. Readers will sense the attitude of your story in the first few pages and will notice at some level the characters’ and narrator’s emotional spin or attitude about their world. Check your first page to see what attitude your words project. Read more

Oct 27

Discover the benefits of failure and the magic of imagination

Has fear of failure ever stopped you from pursuing your creative passion?
Find out how rock bottom became the solid foundation on which J.K. Rowling built her life. Rowling spoke at Harvard University’s commencement in 2008.

Oct 25

Place readers in your story world by noting significant details

One of the best things about reading a gripping book is the way it pulls you into another world where you become so immersed it’s as if you’re really there. One way to draw readers into your story is by using what writer and teacher John Gardner called “significant details.”

Before he died at age 49, Gardner wrote more than thirty works of fiction and nonfiction, including novels, literary criticism, and a book of poetry. He also wrote three successful children’s books, among them “Dragon, Dragon, and Other Tales,” which was named Outstanding Book for Children by the New York Times. Gardner was also a professor of medieval literature and creative writing.

In his book, The Art of Fiction, Gardner wrote, Read more

Oct 21

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Find creative possibilities in your workplace

In these economic times when everyone knows of someone who has lost a job, we all have work of some sort — even if it’s looking for another job. Some people work as stay-at-home moms and dads, while others work in small businesses, schools, or large corporations.

Whatever your situation, jobs are sources of great writing material. You might find inspiration to write a poem, an essay, a scene for a short story (after all, your characters likely have jobs too), or maybe even a whole novel.

Broadcaster and author Studs Terkel chose to literally write about other people and their jobs. In Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, he interviewed people in all sorts of jobs — from a factory worker to a fashion model. The narratives move between mundane details, emotional truths, and existential questioning. Read more

Oct 19

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Breathe life into characters with the right names

What do you think of when you hear these names? Holden Caulfield, Bilbo Baggins, Jane Eyre, Hannibal Lecter, and Scarlett O’Hara.

Memorable character names help grab readers’ attention, and gripping characters become so real that readers remember them long after they read the last page of a book.

I collect names the way I collect other writing bits in my commonplace book. I wrote these down recently: Virgil Doty, Pernelle Parker, Carlyle Scoggins.

Here are a few things to think about when you’re creating character names:

Avoid similar sounding names – Especially in the beginning of your story, readers will be meeting your characters and trying to place them and the relationships. Jared, Jason and Joseph are all nice names but too many “J” names might throw off readers. Read more

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