Category Archives: writing

All Alone!

Characters might spend time alone, either before or after significant events. Preparing and processing is important for character motivation and consequential actions. It can also keep throughs out of busy scenes where it might distract from the moment. Here are a few things I like when reading or writing characters on their own.  Keep itContinue reading “All Alone!”

Harsh Critiques!

I’ve had mixed experiences with giving and receiving critiques. I try to be honest and encouraging and have many great writing buddies do the same for me. But one thing that bothers me is when people I don’t know critique my work with zero encouragement or when others talk about wanting “harsh” crits or “tearContinue reading “Harsh Critiques!”

Read Terrible Books!

Yes, I recommend reading terrible books. Why, you ask? Because it helps you learn what not to do as a writer. And that’s even better than learning what to do. It’s highly subjective what to do a how to write. I doubt any two writers will agree on everything even if they agree in general. Continue reading “Read Terrible Books!”

Therapeutic Writing!

As it’s mental health month, I thought that now is as good a time as any to talk about how writing can be therapeutic. Living with a mental illness sucks, and I get overwhelmed with emotions easily. Sometimes I don’t know how I feel and why, so I get to writing. I write short piecesContinue reading “Therapeutic Writing!”

Unravelling Writing Advice – Show Don’t Tell!

Another installment from Unravelling Writing Advice series. Firstly, what is “tell” and what is “show?” Telling – He was tired.  Showing – His limbs became heavy, and his eyelids fluttered. Okay, so that was a quick example. But you get the point. The first example outright tells us how he feels whereas the second describesContinue reading “Unravelling Writing Advice – Show Don’t Tell!”

One Thought

Just about every writer gets writer’s block sometimes. This is how my overactive brain overcomes it One thought, one word, one line. The letters roll on. They might as well be nothing. Blankness. That damn line is flashing its condescension at me. It knows. It sees the chaos in my mind. I hate the thing,Continue reading “One Thought”

Don’t Hate on My Prologue Just Because You Hate Prologues!

I’ve read an array of fiction, mostly fantasy or sci-fi, with prologues. I tend not to be impressed by half of them. They feel like info dumps or pointless backstory that could be weaved into early chapters as the reader needs to know them. And it affects my own prologues while questioning other authors’ motivesContinue reading “Don’t Hate on My Prologue Just Because You Hate Prologues!”

Writing Outside your Wheelhouse!

Do it. Seriously, put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see how deeply you can dig. It doesn’t have to be a whole novel. It could be a short story or an occasional POV in a bigger story.  This is NOT about sensitivity or political correctness. This is about tolerance and understanding beyond what we’veContinue reading “Writing Outside your Wheelhouse!”

First Chapters Are the Worst!

Quick announcement: I’ve been on blogging hiatus for a couple of weeks due to losing a close family friend. It’s left us all deeply shocked and upset. I’m not sure if I’ll be back to regular posting just yet, but this particular post if more for a writing buddy of mine. I started it aContinue reading “First Chapters Are the Worst!”