When you first started writing, what form did you use–short stories, poetry, memoir, or a novel? In middle school, I chose short stories and I still like to write them. Next I wrote a few novels, and then poetry. In the afternoon writing class I teach, we are writing a Haiku twice a month based […]
Today’s online writing groups’ poetry and story exercises: 25 February 2015
Looking for prompts? MorgEn can keep you inspired.
Quote by Grandma Moses
A Good Day’s Work — Grandma Moses I look back on my life like a good day’s work, it was done and I feel satisfied with it. I was happy and contented, I knew nothing better and made the best out of what life offered. And life is what we make it, always has been, […]
The First Page
A reader, editor, or agent often gives a first page three or four seconds before closing the book or tossing the submitted page onto the notorious slush pile. What do we have to squeeze into those few seconds? We have to grab the reader’s interest immediately, usually with writing something active not passive. Ground the […]
Quote About Plans in Writing
Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” I know Eisenhower was referring to preparing for battle, but to me, it works for writing as well. For plotters his quote could be interpreted as the plot that was planned might be useless, i.,e. […]
BookShop West Portal Display at SF Writers Conference
Neal Sofman of Bookshop West Portal sets up tables at the SFWC to sell books written by the presenters, attendees, and volunteers. This table is one of three at the Mark Hopkins Hotel where the conference is held every year. https://www.bookshopwestportal.com Photo credit for Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan http://writingcoachTeresa.com Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s book Love Made of Heart is […]
Writing Tips from Authors Cara Black, Laurie King, and Penny Warner
My previous post told about the three panelists at one of the San Francisco Writers Conference sessions I attended this year.The authors spoke about “Heroes & Villains: Building Compelling Characters for Crime Fiction.” The following are some notes I wrote from what each of them and the moderator, Kate Chynoweth, said. Penny Warner said she […]