Tag: writers process

  • The Writing Truths we Forget to be True

    The Writing Truths we Forget to be True

    I can see him: the genius writer. He’s holed up somewhere with the kind of light that makes your eyes go bad and the kind of weather that makes you crave a good knit cardigan: oversized, of course. Outside, the wet clouds clap as he crushes out another stodgy cigarette. He hasn’t left his room…

  • How the Scroll is Undermining One of Our Most Important Writerly Duties

    How the Scroll is Undermining One of Our Most Important Writerly Duties

    “Writers pay attention,” she said. I thought for a minute. Do I pay attention? I thought I did. Maybe? No–I did; I certainly did. I’m self admittedly nosy. That’s what happens when you love a good story, whether it’s one you overhear at length, catch a snippet of, or even just a glance at. I…

  • Dusting Off and Getting Up: a Rehearsal

    Dusting Off and Getting Up: a Rehearsal

    A deep sigh. Little shame filled cheeks glowing in front of a keyboard where little shame filled fingers flit before you now. I am back. A week ago, I told myself I had let the writing habit die, and before it’d even really gotten it’s first deep breath. Queue the familiar cloak of shame, which…

  • When to Shut Up and When to Talk: The Key to Character Description

    When to Shut Up and When to Talk: The Key to Character Description

    I’ve been thinking a lot about my main character lately. I’m writing a novel. Did I tell you that? And it has a main character, and I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately. Mostly, how much to say about him. Not his internal state, of course, or else we’d have no novel. It’s his…

  • One Writer’s Gentle Reminder About the Muse to Another

    One Writer’s Gentle Reminder About the Muse to Another

    You’re standing next to the punch bowl, wondering who ever thought the paper straw was ever a good idea as you pull a bit of soggy cardboard from your teeth. That’s when she walks in–and she’s absolutely dazzling. Her silken hair is perfectly swept. Her wardrobe is all one-of a kind (vintage pieces she can’t…

  • My Baby Turned One Today: What I’ve Learned in One Sentence

    My Baby Turned One Today: What I’ve Learned in One Sentence

    A lot, but mostly: human beings can do incredibly, incredibly hard things–especially with love in their heart and a willingness to see what is beautiful. Whatever you’re working on, however hard it may be, you can do it.

  • Four Biggest Lies We Use to Keep From Writing

    Four Biggest Lies We Use to Keep From Writing

    The Biggest Lies All Writers Believe Note, that’s biggest lies, dear friend. Please don’t think for a moment that this in any way limits the list down to a mere four. If that were the case, we’d have a lot more books. I’m merely honing in on the ones I’ve heard, and muttered, the most.…