How to Tell If You’re a Writer
You might be a writer if…. Here are my top 20 clues. 20. You love coffee. 19. You’ve said these words at some point in your life: “I want to write a book.”…
Bits and Pieces
How to Use Tropes in Middle Grade Fiction
In literature, a trope is a device, a theme, a motif or symbol that appears regularly in literary genres. Some people call them cliches because they appear so often. But that word has a negative connotation, so I don’t want to use it. A trope can be a useful building block for a story. It’s…
Slippery Slope
I have a writer friend who recently uttered a question that, I think, is the beginning of a slippery slope, leading to a melty pile of slush. A meltdown, if you will. Her question was “What’s the point?” I hear that phrase so often in one form or another. “Why bother?” “Who cares?” “Is it…
Concepts, Premises, and Loglines
Nailing down your theme, your main character, and the plot are a super start to writing a story. But maybe you’re still hesitating. I get it. Let’s not call it procrastination. It’s more like getting your ducks in a row. Or filling your quiver. Feathering the nest. Building a foundation. Prepping for a long journey….
We Arrive with the Wind
We sail into the village on a gentle wind, my mother and me. Not like Mary Poppins or that Vianne character from Chocolat. But not unlike them either. We’ve come to stay for a time before moving on. “How long will we be here, Mama?” I ask. “Do I ever answer that question, Lilly?” She…
Story, Structure, and Plot
Writing involves so many pieces. I’ve talked about theme and character. Today, I’m trying to tame story, structure, and plot. I’ll start with what might be easiest to understand: story. Story is simply the writer telling (showing) the reader about the main character’s journey. This involves writer voice and style. Structure is the layout of…
Crafting Characters Who Can Carry Your Story
If you’ve been writing for a while, you may notice characters come fluttering into your head out of nowhere, full of personality and ready to go. But when that doesn’t happen, how do you go about putting together a main character? Character possibilities are everywhere: grocery stores, church, school—even your own house. Characters are easy…
What Comes First: Character, Plot, or Theme?
Sometimes, the thing that comes first for me when I’m writing is a first line. But that can make it difficult to weave a story around. Then, I might have to kill my darling first line and start over. Sad. So what should come first? It’s kind of like planning a party. Do you start…
How Reaching Beyond the Low-Hanging Fruit Can Enrich Your Life and Your Writing
Who among us hasn’t reached for the bag of pretzels or a cookie when they were hungry instead of slicing some chicken or putting a few spoons of cottage cheese in a bowl? The pretzels are so easy! Not to confuse things, but pretzels are low-hanging fruit. When chatting with a friend, we often reach…
Making Room to Create (aka Downsizing Your Book Collection)
(Good morning. I wrote this post prior to the devastation of the fires in Southern California. My heart goes out to all of you who live there or know someone dealing with this tragedy. I have donated to the Pasadena Human Society and the California Fire Foundation.) Between books and paper notes, my desk has…
