Everyone (I am just going to assume this is the case) wants to get in shape. Everyone wants to eat healthier. All of us want to be better. I know of know writer who does not want to be a better writer, and we all as writers know that the only way we are going […]
Five Tips for Developing the Habit of Writing Read More »
I used to think that logic was at the center of our thinking. This does not seem to be the case when you look at people, because people often do things illogically. But as I looked at people and saw them respond to events, it seemed to be the case that though they did not
The Story is at the Center of Thinking Read More »
I think almost every single author I have run into says the same thing about finishing their book: though they have the book in a completed state, they could go on working on that book until the end of time. I am sure I could do this as well. There is a little gremlin in
If I were to ask the question, “What should you put in each chapter of your book?” you might look at me sideways. Finding out what to put in each of your chapters is easy to most writers. But this question is important. When you write a work of fiction, you start with nothing. Though
What to Put in Your Chapters Read More »
When you write anything, you usually decide on how to write that thing based on how it feels in the world. What is the emotional connection? Does this thing I am writing contain movement? Do I need to describe it in a certain way because the way it expresses itself is temporal? Action is one
A New Way to Look at Action Read More »
One of the things I learned about in school was the necessity of having transitions in my writing. If I did not have transitions, my writing would not flow. If my writing did not flow, people would not like my writing. If people did not like my writing, they would not like me. And if
Invisible Transitions Read More »
Writing only consists of what is on the page, but it doesn’t, but it does, but it doesn’t. If you have ever thought about what writing is, you probably have realized that it is a very complex process. Speech is a complex process in and of itself, but writing goes beyond speech. It follows after
The Necessary Space Between the Writing Read More »
Most writers know what purple prose is. Most try to make their writing contain as little writing as possible. I call this skinny writing. In this week’s episode, I talk about the utility of purple prose and skinny writing, when we should use both, and why I think that our writing culture has shifted toward
Purple Prose and a movement toward Skinny Writing Read More »
Begging the Question does not mean that you are asking a specific question. Begging the Question is a logical fallacy that looks at whether someone is making arguments for their basic ideas or is merely making assumptions. When we look at Begging the Question, it can teach us authors to look at our fundamental beliefs
Begging the Question Read More »
History is important. Some of you love history. Some of you think history is a snooze. Even if you don’t like history, I think it is important to know and understand history. Knowing and understanding history can help us make better decisions in our lives, but it can also help us write better. You read
The Importance of Understanding History Part 1 Read More »
