Finding Inspiration in Non-Traditional Places Ideas are at the heart of storytelling. Some writers never have any trouble finding ideas; others need to work at it. I’m one of the second. For a few years, I worried that I couldn’t… Read More ›
Writing
The Scent of Her Soul: Part 7 – Second Point of View
Content warning. This story is designed for adults and mature teens. It involves sex trafficking and mentions rape, drugs, and nudity. There is no “on-screen” sex, but the aftermath of rape is on-screen, including the presence of nude, partially nude,… Read More ›
Inspirational Quotes for Writers – #1
I am adding a new feature to the blog – Inspirational Quotes for Writers. I hope to post one each Saturday. If anyone asks me, “Should I be a writer?” I always have the same answer: “If anything I can… Read More ›
Critique Group – Dragonfyre and Reborn
All right, critiquing partners, we have two more submissions to analyze today. Don’t forget the critiquing guidelines. All you have to do is post a comment about the submissions below. Don’t feel like you need to critique both or the whole piece… Read More ›
Writing Tips – Why I Avoid Writing in Present Tense
I don’t have a guest post today, so I am providing an opinion piece on writing in present tense. An opinion piece? Yes, I decided to introduce it this way, because this is not a lesson on writing rules. It… Read More ›
The Scent of Her Soul: Part 6 – The Crisis is Coming
Content warning. This story is designed for adults and mature teens. It involves sex trafficking and mentions rape, drugs, and nudity. There is no “on-screen” sex, but the aftermath of rape is on-screen, including the presence of nude, partially nude,… Read More ›
Critique Group – The Unchosen One and A Secret Revealed
Another week, another critique, well, two critiques. Let’s get it rolling! Don’t forget the critiquing guidelines. All you have to do is post a comment about the submissions below. Don’t feel like you need to critique both or the whole piece… Read More ›
The Scent of Her Soul: Part 5 – Escape with Amy
Content warning. This story is designed for adults and mature teens. It involves sex trafficking and mentions rape, drugs, and nudity. There is no “on-screen” sex, but the aftermath of rape is on-screen, including the presence of nude, partially nude,… Read More ›
Critique Group – The Reluctant Shaman and The Rule of Olympus
Are you ready to critique? Ready or not, here are two new submissions to consider. Don’t forget the critiquing guidelines. All you have to do is post a comment about the submissions below. Don’t feel like you need to critique both… Read More ›
Increase Character Conflict – Guest Post by Camy Tang
Here are some tips for making a bland or episodic story more interesting by introducing deep character conflicts. Sometimes, a writer will get feedback that the characters are unlikable or uninteresting, or the story is only “okay.” This is usually… Read More ›