For the first twenty years I wrote fiction, I didn’t understand when people spoke of “writer’s block”. Of course there were times when I got stuck, and it took me a day or two to figure out where to go with a story. But usually, when I sat down to write, the words flowed. It…
Blog
ONE OF THESE THINGS JUST DOESN’T BELONG HERE…
My ruminations today are on the delicate balance between presenting our readers with something they want to read vs. challenging them to read something that is uncomfortable and even unpleasant but that might stick with them a little longer. It starts with the photo I’ve included with this post. While browsing blogs and online news…
The Game of Writing by Guest Kara Seal
So you successfully defeated the boss on level three and achieved a high score. You think to yourself, “that wasn’t so hard, this game is easy.” Level four is a little more demanding, but thanks to your well-honed skills, the dungeon is soon in sights and victory is inevitable! Only this boss has moves you’ve…
Attitude
Another note-to-self in the form of a blog … I’ll cut to the chase: what we do is a choice. We put ourselves in this situation—“forced” to think about stories and characters and plots and craft. The burden of it all; the agony! The tortured artist at work–just look. Over there in the corner, writhing…
Tone Up Your Setting – Western Slope Recap by Guest Samantha Ross
By Samantha Ross Our characters come to life through their attitudes, perceptions, personality, their point of view of themselves, and the their world. The reader knows this is a person. The reader is on this journey with them. Setting should reach out and grab the reader, pulling them into the moment. It’s just as important…