Talking Character
Writing Characters of the Opposite Gender
I am not a horse person. I freely admit almost complete ignorance in regard to horses and horse-related things.…
January 17, 2016-
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The Writer's PenCasePutting Fire in Your Fiction – Part I
Most fiction starts out hot, then bogs down. How can you keep the fire in your fiction so that…
January 16, 2016 -
Craft, Developing Your Writer's VoiceWriter’s Voice Questions Answered for 2016
I’ve received several questions concerning how one recognizes their writer’s voice. For those of you who discovered your voice…
January 4, 2016 -
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101, Uncategorized3 Questions to Ask When Setting Your 2016 Writing Goals
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible.” -Tony Robbins Whether you’re a natural…
January 1, 2016 -
5 For Writing, UncategorizedAre You a Plot-Driven or Character-Driven Writer?
What comes first? Do you begin with a great plot idea, and then create characters to fill out the…
December 24, 2015 -
The Ministry of WritingGod Will Bring the Pieces of Your Writing Calling Together
So God has called you to write. You have a “writing calling”. He has burdened your heart to share…
December 22, 2015 -
Talking Character
10 Tips for Writing Secondary Characters
Not everyone can be the hero or the villain. A story needs a cast of supporting characters too. Here…
December 20, 2015 -
Craft, Writing with HumorFive Tips For How to Use Humor Effectively When Writing About Sensitive Topics
In my last post, How Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics, I explained how working humor into the…
December 19, 2015 -
The Writer's PenCase
Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part III
This time, we’ll look at Character Struggles, and how they help make unforgettable fiction. Here’s a great way to…
December 15, 2015 -
Developing Your Writer's Voice, Uncategorized
Christmas Newsletters and the Writer’s Voice Within
There are two schools of thought about Christmas newsletters we receive from friends and family. One group loves them,…
December 2, 2015 -
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101, Uncategorized
5 Fun Gifts for Your Favorite Travel Writer
Tis the season to gift, and be gifted! Maybe you may have a favorite travel writer on your list,…
December 1, 2015 -
Blogging BasicsThree Ways Comparison Can Kill Your Blogging Confidence
Blogging requires a balanced combination of vision, passion, craft, and energy. Comparison can quickly squelch your energy and derail…
November 30, 2015 -
5 For WritingPut a Soundtrack to Your Fiction
“Where words fail, music speaks,” said Hans Christian Andersen, writer of such legendary stories as The Little Mermaid (not…
November 20, 2015 -
Talking Character
Where Do Mannerisms Come From?
Habits and mannerisms must originate somewhere, for some reason. In a novel, where aspect of a character should be intentional, a character’s…
November 19, 2015 -
Craft, Writing with HumorHow Humor Helps When Writing About Sensitive Topics
At first glance, making people laugh when addressing a sensitive topic seems absurd, maybe even callous. But then again, a little…
November 18, 2015 -
The Writer's PenCase
Putting Fire in Your Fiction Part II
We’re looking at Donald Maass’ The Fire in Fiction. @DonaldMaass #FireinFiction I’m on a quest to learn more about…
November 10, 2015 -
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101
Make Your Next Travel Writing Article More Memorable
Andrew McCarthy, guest editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2015, says that the best travel writing is “the…
November 9, 2015 -
The Ministry of WritingDaddy are There Potties in Heaven? — Where Do You Get Your Truth?
“Daddy are there potties in Heaven?” My two-year old daughter asked when the subject of Heaven came up. She…
November 8, 2015 -
Developing Your Writer's Voice
How A Dinosaur Can Help Your Writer’s Voice
Is it possible for a dinosaur of technology to help define your writer’s voice? I say yes and say…
November 3, 2015 -
The Writer's PenCasePutting Fire in Your Fiction
The tagline to Donald Maas’ The Fire in Fiction is “passion, purpose, and techniques TO MAKE YOUR NOVEL GREAT.”…
October 30, 2015 -
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101
No Tricks Here! Just Lots O’ Travel Writing Opportunities
Sorry, I couldn’t resist the Halloween reference, but let’s face it, finding quality travel writing opportunities can be tricky…
October 28, 2015 -
Developing Your Writer's VoiceHow Many Words Should You Write Per Day?
I’m not sure how he did it, but the late Michael Crichton supposedly wrote 10,000 words a day, which…
October 22, 2015 -
Developing Your Writer's Voice, Uncategorized
How Your Diary Holds the Key in Discovering Your Writer’s Style
A writer’s voice is the unique personality of the writer that comes through on the written page, defining his…
October 21, 2015 -
Talking CharacterDrilling to the Core of a Character
Fictional characters are like onions; they are made of many layers. A writer must peel back the layers to…
October 16, 2015 -
Craft, The Writer's PenCasePutting Fire in Your Fiction—Part I
When drafting your novel, then self-editing, go back and determine whether or not any given scene moves the story…
October 15, 2015
