Memories 1.0
Memories come and go, but we should pay attention to them, as they can be cathartic!
Read MoreTravels With Judy
Yesterday my friend Kim and I decided to enjoy the end of spring weather with temps in the low 80s and a cooling breeze. So we hopped into Kim's car (she doesn't like my driving!), and headed for Nice Farms Creamery.
Read MoreThe Wave
After so many years of life in the big city, I woke up one day to find myself living in a small rural community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Since my formative years were spent in large cosmopolitan areas, I frequently thought of the country as being just a short drive away.
Read MoreBonnie's Saga
Since Bonnie came into the house, she has had a story to tell. If you read about how she arrived here on my Facebook page, then you are familiar with her. I encouraged her to write her story and I think she has several. This is just the start, so enjoy.
Read MoreThe American Spring
I'm told that the brain keeps everything that arrives in it no matter how small or how big, and that dreams are a result of the brain filing each of those items somewhere, probably never to be seen again.
Read MoreWirters Conferences - Are They Important?
If you are a writer, have you ever considered attending a Writers' Conference?
Read MoreBook Reviews
How important is reading in your life? I hear people say that books are becoming a thing of the past, and speaking for myself and my many reading friends...NOT IN MY LIFETIME!
Read MoreLost Time
It's time for me to get back on track. So let's get to it.
Read MoreBeginnings, Middle, and Ends
The beginning-middle-end of the story are, indeed, the story arc. The length of the story - flash fiction, short story, novel, novella, or tome - will each determine how much goes into that story arc, but the formula is, nonetheless, beginning-middle-end.
Read MoreViewpoint and Point of View
Viewpoint and Point of View (POV) may be the most confusing techniques to understand when writing fiction. Viewpoint is the identity and emotional focus of the person who relates the events of a story, i.e., the narrator. It is an important part of the relationship between writer and reader. It is about whose eyes we use to witness the action of the story. Point of view, on the other hand, is the manner in which the narrator relates the story, i.e., (first person, second person, third person, omniscient) and tense (present, past, future).
Read MoreCreative Writing Techniques - Dialogue
Dialogue is one of the strongest tools a writer has in his toolbox. Properly done, it serves a multitude of purposes. It moves the situation forward into the story and then carries the story forward. It develops character, it establishes setting, it builds tension, it establishes suspense and it carries theme.
Read MoreThe Four Elements of Fiction: Character
In order to produce an engaging story that will keep the reader turning the page, the four elements of fiction must relate to one another. They are not stand-alone elements.
Read MoreOther Characters: Major and Minor
For the past two weeks, we've talked about the Protagonist and the Antagonist. But in order for a story to have depth, there have to be other characters who play off the Protagonist and the Antagonist. Today we're going to talk about them and the role they play in our story.
Read MoreCHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: The Antagonist
Let's spend some more time with Character development. Today we will talk about the antagonist and his or her role in the story.
Read MoreCharacter Development
Over the next few weeks, we will talk about the different types of characters--major, minor, where they come from, how they are developed. Today we will focus on the Protagonist; the importance of his/her role and what they contribute to the story.
Read MoreThe Four Elements of Fiction
We recently discussed how Character relates to the other four elements of fiction: Setting, Situation, and Theme. Today we will talk about how these other three relate to one another.
Read MoreThe Elements of Fiction
this week we start discussing the four basic elements of fiction. This introduction is taken from my book: "The Four Elements of Fiction: Character, Setting, Situation, and Theme."
Read MoreEditing as a Craft: Part III - Professional Editing
The book is written, vetted, and revised. Now what do we do?
Read MoreEditing As a Craft: Part II - Critiquing Partners
Finding and keeping a Critiquing Partner is a two-way street. We take from them, and we give back to them.
Read MoreEditing As a Craft: Part I - Beta Readers
As writers, we are too close to our own work to successfully edit it. A second or third or however many sets of eyes will find the errors that we will always miss. But finding those extra eyes can be a challenge.
Read MoreMemories and Memoir
WRITING THE MEMOIR So, tonight I have the pleasure of presenting a workshop on writing memoirs...a class I am truly looking forward to, and an excellent topic for discussion.
Read MoreAll About Words
I share my thoughts about *words* as they come to me from my life as an editor, book indexer, book reviewer, and reader.
Read MoreCOMING SOON: ALL ABOUT WORDS BLOG
Stay tuned to this site for a new blog experience.
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