[dropcap]W[/dropcap]riting is such an elusive art. Writers are often cagey about the origin of their creations when asked where the story started. Not every story is explainable. There are the kinds that start with a wisp of an idea, which is flushed out after years of research. Other stories draw the writer into its web,…
Tag: creative writing
Dear Creative-Writing Class
To all of you who may have taken creative writing classes: What kind of letter might you right to your classmates? newyorker.com
20 Ways to Avoid the Word "Very"
By Amreen B. Shaikh of https://painttheworldwithwords.wordpress.com Writing is a very wise sagacious exercise. One writes to emote their thoughts, ideas and concepts to the world. But there are few words which hinder the flow of it when one reads, and actually are considered a cliche in writing. I recently read about the wrong in using the word “very” in…
Story-Telling’s 3 A’s: about, About, ABOUT
By Eduardo Suastegui of http://www.eduardosuastegui.com What is this story about? To write it, you have to know the answer to that question. It’s a simple question—deceptively so. But yeah, if you’re going to have any idea of what to write next, and if you’re going to write a semi-coherent story summary blurb, you have to know what…
Six Tips For Writing That First Novel
Writing novels when you have experience is daunting. Writing a first novel, then, can seem like an impossible task, especially when you have nothing going for you except desire and a head full of ideas. I recently commented on a book by someone who asked for a review through my Review Exchange offer. I could tell…
Through The Looking Glass - Adventure In Zenland
Read –> Adventure In Zenland I fell into the black hole… I was filled with so much of wonder that I did not realize that I was falling into space beneath me. Before even I knew, I fell down with a thump. My head was spinning and I could vaguely see someone was standing in…
Mistakes to Avoid in Short Story Writing
As the fiction editor for Eclectica Magazine, it’s been both a privilege and pleasure to read story submissions. Finding the handful of pieces that take my breath away is what it’s all about. The good ones shine through, those that are brilliant positively sparkle. That said, it’s too bad that so many stories that come my…
When The Line Becomes A Circle - A Writer's Story
In my own personal writing experience, the path began like this: I sat down one day and decided to write a story. It didn’t come easily. I struggled and flailed around, trying to find the right words, the right moments, the right shades of meaning. It’s tempting to think of one’s career path as…
A Writing Retreat: More Than A Creative Writing Tune-Up
A few weeks ago, I had the equivalent of a writer’s meltdown until I made two conclusions, one of which involved meeting a certain person by the name Lise Weil. (You can read about it here). After talking to her and learning about the writing retreat that she runs a few times a year, I decided…
Novel Writing: Enrichment of Real Research
By Mark Fine of http://finewrites.blogspot.com/p/main-page.html In writing and researching my historical novel The Zebra Affaire, I had the privilege of viewing many wild creatures in their natural habitats. Being in the bush, tracking game (with camera, and not firearm) is not a bookish, academic pursuit. The composite of the senses are vital to telling your story: the wretched…
Characterization and the Car Crash
By Ken Elkes of http://kenelkes.wordpress.com Some musings on writing. Let’s start with three examples: 1. I was in a road traffic accident the other day. I didn’t suffer any injuries, though my car may not be repairable. Unfortunately it was my birthday. 2. I had an interesting birthday. Got into a car crash on the motorway. Not a scratch on me…
A Few Choice Words
By David Kent of http://writerinthemountains.blogspot.com What’s the difference between ordinary writing and extraordinary literature? Word choice. That is not some editorial decree to run out and buy a new thesaurus (although if you don’t own J. I. Rodale’s Synonym Finder, you should go get it), there is a lot more to word choice than a…