Candles Are Not the Answer to Writing Burnout (But Dogs Might Be…)
In an article for the Script Lab, Kathleen Laccinole offers advice on what to do when you feel burned out by your writing. "Writer’s burnout...
Does Your Character Have to Choose to Play by the Rules?
Discussing another example of the "hand in your badge and gun" moment that is pivotal to stories following the "hero's journey" path, Steven Pressfield...
Early Planning Stops Story Problems Later
As always, we begin with our usual kvetching about applying too much prefab structure or - god forbid - percentages to your novel. If...
Use Setting to Reveal Character, Theme, and Change
In a post on Writer Unboxed, Barbara Linn Probst offers good advice on choosing the right details to include about your setting. You never...
Hell – and Conflict – Is Other People
Conflict is a key element to creating tension and showing character change over the course of your story. Some conflict is easy - even...
Use Micro-Tension to Build Reader Anticipation
Tension is key to narrative drive, the element that keeps readers turning pages. If you're writing a mystery novel, you might think that your...
Create a Strategy for Your Writing Goals
In a post on BookBaby, Steven Spatz says creativity is necessary for your writing, but a strategy will help you meet your goals.
Along with...
Prompt: What Do You Miss?
During her interview with the Write the Book podcast, poet Maggie Smith suggests a prompt inspired by the work of another poet. In Joe...
Inquiry Keeps Pages Turning
In this week's podcast, the Writing Excuses hosts continue their discussion of the M.I.C.E. quotient, this time focusing on Inquiry. They talk about how...
Milieu is Your Sense of Place
In this week's podcast, the Writing Excuses hosts continue their series on the M.I.C.E. framework, this time examining the element of Milieu and how stories...
