Listening to author and writing mentor Al Watt today as he boils story down to three words: Desire. Surrender. Transformation. That nails it for me.
Story in 3 Words
Sarah’s & Cynde’s Blog
Good Writing, a Tip from E.L. Doctorow
Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader–not the fact that it is raining, but the feelings of being rained upon. ~E.L. Doctorow
January 2016 Inspiration to Write from William Wordsworth
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~ William Wordsworth
Christmas Storm Moon
Moon on December 25th, storm coming~a night to write
Minutes away from Christmas Eve and Santa Fe quiet and snowy…
And bright!
Opposing Forces
You must open your story to duality and opposition. You must explore all sides of the dramatic question through your characters, search all nooks and crannies for the elixir–your protagonist is only as strong as the forces of opposition.
That crazy writer…
When you are writing a book, you must learn to listen very closely for what editor Tom Jenks calls the heartbeat of the story. Sometimes you may confuse your own heartbeat with the narrative heartbeat. If you allow your emotional highs and lows to push you around–they may also end up pushing around your prose. Your anxiety, exhaustion, or mania may show up on the page. It’s not that you shouldn’t use your own experience to connect with characters–you should. Your fears and the fears of your protagonist are the same when it comes to their deepest nature. Your shared …
Asimov’s Inspiration
“If my doctor told me I only had six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.” Isaac Asimov
Unplugged
Absolutely Do Not Let Fear Stop You From Writing Your Stories
“I don’t think you have time to waste not writing because you are afraid you won’t be good at it.” Anne Lamott