For this blog on the character arc, I’ll rewrite the title quote. If you find a path with no obstacles, don’t put your character on it. We don’t want to read about someone whose path is strewn with rose petals. We do want to read about a person who has... read more
I chose the title image for this blog on novels from one of the most famous movies of all time. I modeled my title on the rhythm and exclamation of one of its most famous lines. We writers derive inspiration from all sorts of places, including the visual arts. It’s entirely normal... read more
My short answer to the question: “Where do you find writing inspiration?” is: Everywhere. In other words I don’t think of writing inspiration in terms beautiful sunsets or waves lapping the shore. However, since the evening sky and the beach are included in “Everywhere” then, sure, they count as places... read more
Romance conventions are the story lines, situations and characters that make a romance a romance. They are also sometimes called tropes or commonplaces. They are salient enough for Jenn Northington of Book Riot to make the Romance Bingo card in the title image. Any version of the hero’s journey – a... read more
Title image: Left: Karen Finley book cover of Shock Treatment (2015); Right: Image from the performance “Don’t Hang the Angel” (1985) Yesterday (Thursday, October 25) Karen Finley gave a heart-felt and eye-opening presentation at Duke University in the course “Performance Art: History and Theory” taught by Professor of Art and... read more
First I said a Plot Buddy was a writer’s best friend. Then I added Self-Knowledge. Finally I’m asserting it’s The Subconscious. I’ll now claim these three to be the Writer’s Trinity. Today is the next installment in my Recovering Creativity quest guided by Julia Cameron‘s Vein of Gold. Working with... read more
Oops! I already identified the Plot Buddy as a writer’s best friend. Now I need to enlarge my notion of ‘best friend’ to include self-knowledge. Consider this the second installment in my quest: Recovering Creativity. I reiterate my hope that the account of my quest will inspire you to go... read more
What’s a plot buddy, you wonder? It’s the pal who loves to hear about your stories as you are writing them and enjoys pitching in and helping you with your plot. It’s wonderfully inspiring to simply talk out loud about your story and bounce ideas around. It’s a bonus if... read more
Today is a guest blog by romance writer Jan Romes. Writers, regardless of the genre they write, thirst for real life situations and real characters to give truth and zest to their fictional stories. That’s where I found myself at the beginning of 2018. I wanted and needed something genuine... read more
Inspiration for writers often comes in the form of classic books like Writing Down the Bones (1986) by Natalie Goldberg and Bird by Bird (1994) by Anne Lamott. Read them if you haven’t already. You are sure to enjoy them! I recently found inspiration for writers in two sources unrelated to writing.... read more
