The first two questions I ask when I start to work with a writer on their story are: There is something that brings us to the page. Some impulse, a nugget, a question. We want to share or educate or entertain or prove to that high school english teacher who told us we weren’t muchContinue reading “What’s Your Point?”
Tag Archives: writing help
3 Tips to Determine if Your Protagonist Has Agency
Tell me if you’ve ever been given this writing advice: Act 1: Get your character in a tree. Act 2: Throw rocks at them. Act 3: Get them out of the tree. Can I tell you a secret? I hate this advice. Not because it’s inherently wrong. In theory, it makes sense – you wantContinue reading “3 Tips to Determine if Your Protagonist Has Agency”
Here’s Where the Story Ends
Writers spend a lot of time determining where their stories start–and rightfully so. But it’s also important to know where and when your story ends. Especially when you’re drafting and feel like the ending is getting farther and farther away. So… How do you know when your story ends? Let’s take a look at Cinderella. Continue reading “Here’s Where the Story Ends”
Summer Writing Routines
Writing in the summer can be easier for some (day job in a slow period, vacation time, longer days) and harder for others (kids at home, summer travel, different routines). My kids are both teenagers now and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. In fact, they have their own schedules and activities and comeContinue reading “Summer Writing Routines”
Using character development questions to understand our creative whys
We are the protagonists of our own writing life. So if you’re struggling with your creative goals or sticking to a writing routine, let’s dig into your wants, needs, and writing obstacles to better understand your creative why. Much like our protagonists have an external want and an internal need, so do we as authors.Continue reading “Using character development questions to understand our creative whys”
Too Few or Too Many Ideas: The Importance of Novel Planning
As a recovering pantser, I often find myself in the too few ideas camp. It’s not that I don’t have them, it’s just I get an inkling of an idea or a character or an inciting incident and then I’m not sure what exactly happens next. The old me used to dive in headfirst andContinue reading “Too Few or Too Many Ideas: The Importance of Novel Planning”
Is it time to call in the experts?
I am headed back to physical therapy this week. I’ve had a nagging lower back issue. When I was in physical therapy for another issue a few years ago, I mentioned it to the therapist during one of our sessions. She kindly added some exercises to help, but it never totally resolved the pain. OurContinue reading “Is it time to call in the experts?”
Writer Confession
Can I be really honest for a second? I haven’t been writing lately. Other than here anyway. And that terrifies me. I am out on submission which is an exciting, stressful, boring, soul-baring, doubt monster awakening time. When I signed with my agent in December, I was at the start of my first revision passContinue reading “Writer Confession”
Don’t let the subplot derail the narrative
You may or may not have seen the recent interview on CBS This Morning that featured Bill Belichick, but as a former media trainer and PR exec, as well as a forever Tar Heel (where Belichick has signed on to be the head football coach this season), the interview has stuck with me. To summarize,Continue reading “Don’t let the subplot derail the narrative”
A Writer Favor: What Craft Issues Trip You Up?
Last week on my Instagram stories, I asked writers which of the following were they struggling with most right now: The Results are in: Craft received the most votes, followed closely by Time and Mindset, which nearly tied. If you’re like me, writer, then you probably struggle with all three at some point. It justContinue reading “A Writer Favor: What Craft Issues Trip You Up?”