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Posts from the ‘Writing Life’ Category

Mar 26

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Do you need to leap out of your creative comfort zone?

One night I got an unexpected call from a former co-worker. We hadn’t talked in months and he caught me at a time when I was struggling with pushing my writing projects forward. I was stuck.

Something he said gave me a jolt of creative energy, although he probably had no idea it was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. It went something like this:

“Sometimes you get a feeling in your stomach that makes you feel a little nervous, and that’s to let you know that you’re close to the edge of something that’s exciting and challenging and you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone.”

Even when we’re doing the things in life that we know we’re meant to do, it can be scary because the stakes are high. The best way to combat fear and resistance it immerse ourselves in our creative pursuit so that it becomes the focus instead of the fear.

Have you ever been scared of taking a leap but knew you just had to do it?

Mar 22

What’s the worst thing you can do to your character and why?

One thing about writing that’s hard for me is being mean to my characters, well at least most of them. I suspect that certain scenes we write are our way of acting out and doing things fictionally that we can’t do in real life. But stories need conflict and so we have to do horrible things to characters at times so they can grow and change and we can advance the story. (Although I draw the line at hurting the dog.)

So what are some guidelines for doing this? Writer K.M. Weiland says the point is to not only up the stakes and create conflict, but to generate character growth and advance the character’s personal arc.

For more details, watch her 2:26-minute video.

For more inspiration from Weiland, follow her @KMWeiland and visit her website.

Mar 20

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How author Jo Knowles uses storyboarding to imagine her stories

Even though I suspect I have a drawing deficiency, I’m intrigued by drawing and by how writers can use it to outline and build out stories. Drawing can bring ideas and insight to the surface.

So I was especially excited to read an interview that Debbie Ridpath Ohi conducted with award-winning writer Jo Knowles. Knowles has a master’s degree in children’s literature and has taught writing for children in the MFA program at Simmons College.

In this interview posted on Inkygirl.com, Knowles talks about her writing process and how she uses storyboarding to advance her writing. She says creating a storyboard helps her, “get organized, and figure out themes, plot and rhythm of the book.” Read more

Mar 18

An on-the-job lesson in the art of observing

Last week, I was sitting in my cube at work when I heard the squeak and clatter of a cart being wheeled down the aisle near my desk. Since it was on the other side of the wall, I couldn’t see it, but I could hear the man who was pushing the cart sing as he rolled along.

He stopped on the other side of the cube wall near the water machine. I heard the thunk of a big jug of water as he replaced an empty one with the new, then the gurgle of water as it settled in. During all this, the man sang the Michael Jackson song, “The Way You Make Me Feel.” (He had a great voice too.)

As this was happening, I heard the sound of two men talking as they walked towards us down the hall discussing lunch and if the weather might be nice and if they should go out for lunch. The man pushing the cart stopped singing long enough to tell them, “It’s a lovely day.” He resumed singing, and I heard the ding of the elevator bell as he wheeled and bumped his cart into the elevator.

As I reflected on what I’d just heard, I realized that I had a picture in my mind of the scene on the other side of the wall, even though I didn’t see any of the “characters.” It also occurred to me that I probably picked up more sensory details that were auditory due to not being able to see, but only hear, the action around me.

I imagine if I’d been able to watch the action take place, I might have relied more on what I saw than heard, and I might have missed some of the auditory details. Read more

Mar 14

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Is your book title odd? Check these out and vote for the weirdest one

Selecting the right title for your book is important. It draws readers in, helps set the tone for your story, and hints at what’s to come. It can also get the attention of booksellers, agents, and editors.

But what if your title is just plain weird?

Well, for one thing, you might win an award. You can learn more in this Huffington Post article about the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year.

I like weirdness. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by “How Tea Cosies Changed the World,” (I love a nice tea cosy but never realized they’d changed anything more than the temperature of my tea!). And then there’s “God’s Doodle: The Life and Times of the Penis.” (Does it get any better than that for a title?)

Read about the other odd titles and then vote for your favorite.

While you’re at it, maybe you’ll find inspiration for creating your own title.

For more ideas about book titles, read these One Wild Word posts:

Four tips to choosing a book title
Pick a winning title for your novel, memoir or screenplay

Mar 13

Ten ways writers can prepare for success, part II

“Luck is where preparedness meets opportunity.”

Like money, success doesn’t grow on trees or fall out of the sky. We make our own successes by doing good work and being prepared.

In my Part I of this post, I listed five ways in which writers can prepare for success. Below are the next five on my list:

6.  Write and publish small pieces. You don’t have to wait until your great American novel is complete to publish. While you’re working on your work-in-progress, write and publish poems, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, essays or nonfiction articles. Build up your writer’s resume and credentials.

7.  Teach a writing class. Start building your portfolio. One of the requirements of my MFA program was to teach a class. I taught memoir writing to a group from my community and realized how much I loved teaching and having that one-on-one connection with the individuals in the group. An added benefit: teaching something makes you learn it at a deeper level.

8.  Give a reading. I’ve given many poetry readings over the years. The readings have not only helped me become a better reader, but I’ve learned to relax and make a connection with my audience. Giving a reading is a great way to try out new material in front of a live audience. This may sound scary at first, but the more you do it, the more fun it becomes! If you’re not a poet, there are other ways to read in front of a live audience—search out local writing groups or create a fun event in your home. Invite friends, neighbors, and relatives to a reading party. When my son would have an upcoming piano competition, I’d send him over to the neighbors’ house to practice in front of them before playing for a real, live judge.

9.  Read, read, read. The more you read—and read critically by analyzing what works in a piece and what doesn’t—the better writer you will become. Read widely, not just in your genre. Literary agent Donald Maass once told me that I should read the top ten bestselling books in my genre to find out what’s been successful and what’s already been done. I did this then moved on to some classics and other successful books that I hadn’t read yet.  Last month, I read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The White Oleander.” Both made me want to emulate them by doing what they did—write a gripping story, written beautifully.

10.  Have fun! We have a motto in our home and business: “If it’s not fun, we’re not doing it.” Unfortunately in life, un-fun things can happen to us. But if we focus on our heart’s desire and our passions, a certain kind of magic unfolds in our lives. Yes, writing can be hard work but don’t make it into a job that you begin to avoid because you’ve taken all the fun away. Think about what got you excited about writing in the first place. Take a play break, if needed, to recharge your batteries and your attitude.

Good luck!

Mar 12

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Out of sorts? Give yourself an injection of writing medicine

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Ray Bradbury

Do you ever feel distress, unease, or a tinge of depression? It could very well be that you haven’t had your proper dose of writing medicine.

My writing friends and I all agree that we feel out of sorts if we don’t write regularly enough. It’s a good addiction.

If you have the deep desire to write, you must feed it. For many of us, writing is our way of dealing with the reality of life. I believe that to be happy, people must find their creative passion, whether it’s writing, photography, drawing, or volunteering for a cause they love — whatever it is that makes them feel alive in the midst of this sad, happy, crazy world. Read more

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