Welcome back, Rose Vane! Her blog today on Nosferatu is her third on Romanian mythology. We hope this series sparks the imaginations of creative writers of all types. So, let’s get to it! I don’t want to wait until Halloween for this juicy topic. Rose Vane writes: Nosferatu: But First,... read more
Rose Vane is once again our guest blogger. In this period of global pandemic, adventuresome travel is less available for many of us. So I’m reaching out to fellow writers and friends who live in wonderfully interesting places. Today we’re going to armchair travel to Romania and learn about iele.... read more
I’m delighted to have guest blogger Rose Vane share her timely meditation of the role of Fates and Fairies during this period of global pandemic. JTA Title Image: A Golden Thread by John Strudwick, 1885, property of the Tate Museum, London Rose Vane. The Fates: Some Origins In the last... read more
Your Writing Life: The Dream You want a writing life. You dream of a writing life. I know the dream, because I have it, too. It’s the one where you’re at your desk in your home office. With an ocean view, of course. And it’s where you’ve penned any number... read more
Writing is an aerobic activity. To be in writing shape you have to write. You don’t decide to run a 10K then tie on a pair of running shoes and expect to make it to the finish line. You have to train for it. Creativity is a muscle. You have... 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
Fiction Writing as a Way of Life was an event sponsored by the Blackburn Series at Duke University on Wednesday, November 7. It featured Maria Kuznetsova and Lucy Corin who are left and right, respectively, in the title image. I love the title of the event: Fiction Writing as a... read more
Main characters are the prime movers of your story. Their goals and motivations fuel the plot. Secondary characters are there to provide support for the main action, to generate a subplot, and/or to help develop thematic material. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy are the main characters. The... read more
