Five Common Problems with New Writers
Because I teach writing courses, I preach this over and over. The Five most common mistakes:Realize that the first page is Vital. You have to give the reason to keep reading. Stop…
Writing Exercise: The Family Story, Your Silver Treasures
So you want to write your family story? You want it down for prosperity that Uncle Clem likes to pinch cheeks and Grandma sipped Yukon Jack every night? Alright then,…
Writing Exercise: Your Writing Space
We interrupt this writing career to make my husband an egg sandwich, to find my Grandson’s pillow pet, to save a suicidal chicken, to clean up the dogs puke from…
Writing Exercise: First Person vs. Third Person (and a story about a man hose).
First a grammar tutorial, then a funny story. Skip to the end story if you think you are a Grammar Nazi.Most new writers are memoirists. One of the main reason that someone…
Writing Exercise: 3 x 5 cards for your plot and story layout.
Our next step is to make sure that your story flows. I generally take every plot point and capture them in six-twenty words and put them on a 3 x…
Writing Exercise- The Final First Draft and Darling Cutting
The Final First Draft This is a deceptive phrase as it leads you to believe you are done writing. Nay, Dear Scribe, this is just a starting point. Although this is…
Writing Exercise- Final First Draft- Your Writing Space
Mark Twain's Writing SpaceYou have done your outline, plotted your plot and filled out detailed character evaluations for your characters. It is now time to set up your writing space…
Writing Exercise- List of Best Non Fiction Writing Books
"Write brutal. Write without shame. Don’t worry about those silly grammar rules you learn in school. And ignore the need to construct a basic sentence. You don’t need any of…
Writing Exercise- First Time Writer Sage Advice
I am going to take an itty-bitty break from the Character exercise to toss out some First Time Writer Sage Advice. Admittedly, this is prodigious advice for anyone who taps…
Writing Exercises: Character Traits- Lesson 2, The Basics
Character Traits- Lesson 2, The BasicsWe will continue on the creation of your little monster. The Basics tell as much about a person as any category. You will usually steal…