When I asked my writer friends for writing tips, I had no idea what they would send. I received lots of general advice, but also a few tidbits that I categorized. Today's post compiles ones on deep point of view. I was first introduced to this concept during Lorin Oberweger's Free Expressions seminar. Lorin generously gave… Continue reading Writing Tips #3- Nuggets of Wisdom on Deep Point of View
With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein and the strains of "These are a Few of my Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music playing in my head, I thought I'd share some of my favorite writing blogs with you. But first, a disclaimer. This list does not include every blog I read. The ones listed here… Continue reading These are A Few of my Favorite Blogs
In another totally random drawing, Rosi Hollinbeck, the SCBWI critique group coordinator for SCBWI in Northern California, won last week's giveaway contest! A copy of Chris Woodworth's new middle grade book, Ivy in the Shadows is on its way to California. Tracey Adams of Adams Literary kindly offered two copies and the second name I drew… Continue reading Two Winners and Some Winning Writing Advice
My most recent book is Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8. Although intended as a teacher's guide for upper elementary and middle school students, I draw upon it when I teach writing classes at Central Piedmont Community College. I was looking over this week's class on Creating a Character and found my instructions for students to… Continue reading When the Teacher Becomes the Student PLUS a Great Giveaway!
In this last blog on the Free Expressions writing seminar, I will highlight a few revision techniques provided by the YA Muses. This group of writers met at the Big Sur writing conference in 2009 and decided to stay in touch. Although all were unpublished in the YA world, they formed a writing blog to highlight… Continue reading Free Expressions Part V- The Revision Toolbox
I used to think world building just pertained to creating a science fiction or fantasy world. And although it is generally associated with those genres, all novelists must create believable, fictional worlds in which reader immerses themselves. For example, even though Half-Truths takes place in a "real" time and place-- Charlotte, NC in the 1950's--I must… Continue reading Free Expressions Takeaway Part III: Building Imaginary Worlds
Lorin Oberweger, the Free Expressions maven, taught our next "Your Best Book" class on Deep Scene. As most writers recognize, scenes are the fundamental structural unit of every novel. “Every scene involves some type of negotiation between two people. A character wants something and has to strategize and bargain to achieve what he/she wants,” Lorin said.… Continue reading Free Expressions Takeaway Part II: Creating Deep Scenes