Write every day. We hear it all the time, and it's great advice. It's important to turn writing into a habit so that it comes naturally to us and we have time set aside for it. But there's one danger of this mantra being pushed so hard, and it's one I've lived. What if there's … Continue reading Can We Always Write Every Day?
Writing Tips
Reblog: Story Verbing Part 1 by Stephen Geez on Story Empire
Greetings, Story Empire mavens! Today’s post starts a two-parter on the nuances of choosing effective verbs to enhance description. Sure, it sounds simple, but you might be impressed with the possibilities. Per my pattern, this post starts with the basics so Part 2 next month will let us explore, play, experiment, brainstorm, innovate—pick some cool […] … Continue reading Reblog: Story Verbing Part 1 by Stephen Geez on Story Empire
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey: A Lesson on Writing Satire and Humour
Sometimes, the best writing tips of all come from simply reading books, which is one of the main reasons why I'm launching this under-appreciated classics series. Some of my all-time favourite books are ones that have mostly been lost to obscurity - but I think they have so much for us to learn. (Not to … Continue reading Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey: A Lesson on Writing Satire and Humour
Yes, You Should Practise Reading Aloud. Here’s Why!
Nowadays, you can get almost anything read to you at the touch of a button. Word processors can read. Almost every book also has an audiobook. The old days of reading aloud to kids or reading with family are fading away into history. But even with the ease of AI readers and audiobooks, reading aloud … Continue reading Yes, You Should Practise Reading Aloud. Here’s Why!
How to Journal If You Don’t Like Journaling
My middle school diary put me off journals forever. When I look back on the utter drama, the things I thought were so important but really weren't, I cringe. Hard. And I remember again why I'm waiting for the first opportunity to burn that thing. I will never look with fondness on my past thoughts, … Continue reading How to Journal If You Don’t Like Journaling
The Pros of Small-Scale Fantasy
When we think of fantasy, we often think of huge, epic quests to save the world. Defeat the dark lord, restore the light, and bring peace to the entire land. But sometimes, fantasy can - and should - be small-scale. While reading The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson after my fiction fast, I was … Continue reading The Pros of Small-Scale Fantasy
Reblog: How to overcome Procrastination by Darradaily
I used to procrastinate a lot, and I still do, but I’ve gradually reduced it unconsciously over time. Looking back, I tried to figure out what I started and stopped doing that made me more productive.Here are my tips on how to overcome procrastination. 1. Understanding your priorities.Procrastination is only bad when you end up […] … Continue reading Reblog: How to overcome Procrastination by Darradaily
Looking at the Positives: Negative Feedback Isn’t All There Is
Ah, critiques. Don't you love them? Exposing your book baby to someone else and watching them tear it apart piece by piece... Well, hopefully your critiques aren't actually like that (and if they are, come talk to me so I can give you a more constructive critique). But they are scary! It's hard to separate … Continue reading Looking at the Positives: Negative Feedback Isn’t All There Is
How to Create Your Unique Writing Schedule
One of the biggest mistakes I see new writers make is trying to copy a famous author's writing schedule. They think that there's a surefire recipe to success - "just follow this formula and you'll become an overnight bestseller!" Sadly, there is no magical solution. Each writer must find their own path. For example, while … Continue reading How to Create Your Unique Writing Schedule
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book?
Books are scary things. Sure, they can be exciting, but they are a massive undertaking. Sometimes, they even have teeth (or at least it feels like they do). I don't know if you've ever been afraid of the book you're writing, but I know I have. In fact, it's the most common form of writer's … Continue reading Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book?