Writing

Giving yourself the freedom to fail

Fear of failure is something that keeps many people from writing. They dream of being published but hold back because they're afraid their writing isn't good enough. They worry other people will read it and think it sucks. Sometimes this fear is enough to stop a writer from sending her manuscript out to agents and [...]

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Generating creative story ideas

At one time or another, every writer searches her heart and mind for a great story idea and comes up short. The muse is silent. The motivation is gone. The driving force that compels her to write just isn't there. At this point, the writer has two options. One: wallow in self-pity, bemoan the situation [...]

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First-person vs Third-person point of view

In working on my novel, I’ve discovered one of the less talked-about differences between screenwriting and novel writing: point of view. I never realized what a luxury it was to be able to write without having to worry about which character’s point of view should be used for a particular scene. In screenwriting, the point [...]

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To outline or not to outline

There is a lot of debate in Authorland about outlining. Some writers prefer to outline a plot before tackling the process of writing a novel. Other writers prefer “pantsing” -- writing by the seat of the pants, with no map to point the way. Is one method better than the other? Does one alternative lead [...]

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Neil Gaiman's advice for aspiring writers

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Show, Don't Tell

Whether you are new to writing or have been around the block a few times, you've probably heard the writers' mantra: "Show, don't tell." Unfortunately, most how-to books don't do a very good job of explaining exactly how to go about showing rather than telling. Holly Lisle recently created a terrific little video demonstrating the [...]

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Having the discipline to write every day

Every writer has her own style and approaches writing differently. Some write in an office while others write at the corner coffee shop. Some have time to write non-stop for hours each day, while others can squeeze in only an hour here and there. Some have a strict routine while others take up their pen [...]

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How to Create Realistic Characters With Depth

Clustering is a simple brainstorming method you can use in a variety of ways. Its biggest benefit is that it helps you push past your analytical mind and reach into your subconscious mind for ideas that resonate on a deeper level. A single clustering session can produce dozens of great ideas. In The New Diary, [...]

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