This is my 105th blog post. I started this blog on September 2, 2021, and I’ve posted every Thursday since for two years. I’ve enjoyed it, and I’ve been proud of myself for sticking with it and for keeping up with it consistently. I’m a teacher at heart, and I love sharing what I’ve learned … Read More
Rejection: A Step in the Right Direction
You’ve heard this: You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. The same mindset holds true for writing. You have to submit to a lot of literary journals before you find the perfect fit for your story or essay. You have to query a lot of agents before you find … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #6: Get That Close POV
In this six-part series, we’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count Shoot for the Stars Tip #3: Be a Straight Shooter Shoot for the Stars Tip #4: Write for … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #5: Add Some Texture
In this six-part series, we’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count Shoot for the Stars Tip #3: Be a Straight Shooter Shoot for the Stars Tip #4: Write for … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #4: Write for Readers
In this six-part series, we’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count Shoot for the Stars Tip #3: Be a Straight Shooter And now … Shoot for the Stars Tip … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #3: Be a Straight Shooter
In this six-part series, we’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count And now … Shoot for the Stars Tip #3: Be a Straight Shooter When you add tension to … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count
We’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally Last week, I wrote about how to use passive voice properly. This week, I’m sharing some tips that will help you write better dialogue. Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make … Read More
Shoot for the Stars Tip #1: Use Passive Voice … Occasionally
We’re shooting for the stars by adding some great stuff into our writing. Shoot for the Stars Tip #2: Make Dialogue Count Last week, I shared with you 12 Lazy Writing Habits to Break. Once you’ve subtracted the bad stuff, it’s time to shoot for the stars and start adding some things to your writing. … Read More
12 Lazy Writing Habits to Break
Writing is hard work. It is often exhilirating, but it can be exhausting, too—both physically and mentally. Sometimes we get tired or burned out, and it’s tempting to cut corners. But don’t. That mindset is not going to get you to your best writing. When you feel yourself leaning toward taking the easy way out, … Read More
How John Steinbeck Taught Me to Write about Place
Image credit: Loco Steve. It took me many years of writing to begin to find my voice as a writer. I studied other writers I loved. I sometimes tried to mimick their voices, but that gradually evolved into me writing in my own. And I’m not sure I could even tell you what that means—“my voice.” … Read More