Word Play
Searching for something quirky for your character? How about creating a new catch-phrase or word? It happens more often than we think. I’ll bet you sometimes use a phrase that you picked up from a television show, movie, or book somewhere along the line. Gone With the Wind gave us “Fiddle-dee-dee” and “Tomorrow is another day.” Films like […]
The Three R’s
Schools were already divided into grades and contained in brick building complexes by the time I got there, in spite of what my children and grandchildren will tell you, but the original one-room schoolhouse concentrated on simple education of the three R’s . Readin’, (w)ritin’, and (a)rithmetic. ‘Rithmetic wasn’t my fortè, yet I grew up and […]
FIX Your Writing
Please enjoy this guest post from Noelle Stern… (see bio below) *** You’re writing along like butter. Suddenly a stomach-wrenching jolt slams you against a concrete wall. That harpy in your head rebukes: “THAT’S THE WORST, MOST HORRIBLE, STUPID PHRASE SINCE . . . .” Take heart. Such a message doesn’t have to plunge you […]
Trimming The Fat
I’ve read several articles lately on how we writers get carried away and go off track. But it’s hard not to reveal the humanity of our characters and their families. It’s hard to not tell the history of the small town when we set our scenes. After all, every person or place is rich with […]
Give Yourself Permission
I was reading an article from Writers’ Digest the other day and one of the suggestions spoke to me. No. It yelled at me. Allow yourself to write badly. Wow. I needed that. You see, editing as I go is one of my greatest problems. While my friends can plow through a chapter in an hour, […]
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