By “best books on writing”, I mean my favorite books on the writing craft–specifically the fiction or novel craft. These have been the books that taught me the most and motivated me the most. The Story Within by Alicia Rasley Great book about developing your plot from characters and developing your characters from plot. She […]
Oh, how the time flies when you’re stuck with family. You blink and suddenly realize you’ve done nothing for two weeks but eat, argue, and return Christmas presents. Not to mention, all that writing flow and inspiration you had so carefully honed, and maintained has now flown off with Santa Claus. That’s why today’s post is […]
9 days until Christmas! Too many cooks spoil the broth. Have you ever been so overwhelmed by all the experts, by all the blogs meant to help us, or by all the workshops with different (and perhaps contradictory) approaches to writing that you sit paralyzed at your keyboard? You’re certain that your WIP has committed […]
14 days to Christmas! Yesterday, I was considering the importance of setting goals. I usually thumb my nose at goal-setters and motivational stuff, but I realized lately that I shouldn’t because I am an obsessive goal-setter, I just never noticed it before. For example: While jogging: I’ll just go two more blocks, and then I’ll […]
Today is the day Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. As such, the film Pearl Harbor was playing on TV over the weekend. We watched. Big mistake. The film is beyond horrible, but there are some great lessons to be learned from it–-lessons that are cross-denominational for film and writing. Here are a few:
A bit more on inspiration today since it’s just been One of Those Days. But, it’s been an Awesome One of those Days. After over a month of outlining and research, I finally started writing last week. I’m pumping out two scenes per day (that’s, like, 2500 words), and it feels great! I’m inspired.
Lately, I’ve been following a Korean soap opera called “Heaven’s Fate” or (in Korean) 왕꽃 선녀님. It’s melodramatic, borderline absurd, and highly entertaining. Interestingly enough, I’ve managed to see some writing tactics in action–aspects in storytelling that apply both to written fiction and TV drama. Here’s what I’ve learned: Conflict, conflict, conflict! If it’s easy […]
I thought I’d briefly discuss the importance character plays in terms of plot. This is something my first manuscript really lacks, and I’m determined to get it right the second time through. Essentially, the plot should force the MC to act, but the actions he/she chooses are dictated by who the character is and what […]
A friend recently asked, “What’s your novel about?” Good question. I’ve been putting off the logline post, but no longer. I shall grace you with it today. What’s a logline? It’s supposed to be that catchy sentence that makes you want to read the book/watch the movie/play the game. For novels, it’s typically a one-sentence-description […]
I am pushing through the last chapters of my book. I’m on chapter 19 with 264 pages…I should end up with about 25 chapters. I just have to stay focused. So, I was looking for some inspiration (meaning that I wasn’t actually focusing), and I ended up with a passage from Peter S. Beagle’s The Last […]