In today's blog, Carin Siegfried, an independent editor in Charlotte, NC, will begin answering the question, "What are some common editing problems?" Since she has much to share (and apparently the writing community makes many mistakes!) two more blogs will follow with additional editorial issues. This material comes from her presentation to my Fiction Writing… Continue reading Insights into Editing: A Conversation with Carin Siegfried Part II
Carin Siegfried, an independent editor in Charlotte, recently spoke to my CPCC fiction writing class on the editorial process. Over the next few weeks I will share answers to questions the class and I had posed. Carol: What are the different types of editing? Carin: A developmental edit primarily looks at pacing, organization, point of… Continue reading Insights into Editing: A Conversation with Carin Siegfried Part I
In my most recent post, I mentioned that Janelle Bitikofer had asked me to write a guest post on her blog, Writermorphosis. In case you missed the link, it is here. Thank you, Linda Andersen, for suggesting that I clarify this!
Janelle Bitikofer What is "Writermorphosis?" It is Janelle Bitikofer's awesome blog which details the work she is doing in the Dominican Republic. Her blog is also home to the ongoing "Each One Teach One" series that highlights authors, who they have learned from, and how they have given back to the writing community. I was honored… Continue reading Writermorhposis
I am in the middle of teaching a Fiction Writing class at CPCC. Scott Kusel, a voice and film actor, has been learning how revision improves writing. In this blog he shares his observations on the writing process as well a "Before" and "After" character sketch. SCOTT'S THOUGHTS ON REVISION: I am learning that writing… Continue reading Revision Works
June is just around the corner and I want to share two places where I'm teaching. On June 12, I begin an 8-week writing workshop on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. In this Fiction Writing Workshop we'll discuss character, setting, dialogue, hooking your reader, tension, endings, publishing...you name it, I hope… Continue reading Coming Up in June
I wanted to share two events on my calendar that might interest you. On March 13 I begin a 6 week class on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30. Crafting Characters that Connect will meet on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College. The course focuses on the basic principles involved in writing compelling, three-dimensional characters for short and long… Continue reading Upcoming Events
The annual Write 2 Ignite conference registration is now live. Click here to get updated information on the speakers, registration, and how to receive a manuscript critique. Jean Hall graciously asked me if I would give one of the keynote addresses and lead two workshops. Click here for a preview of my keynote speech, Humility… Continue reading Write 2 Ignite News
Do you know who this character is and what book made her famous? "Of course, she knew that married people occupied the same bed but she had never given the matter a thought before. It seemed very natural in the case of her mother and father, but she had never applied it to herself. Now… Continue reading Creating Memorable Characters
If the subtitle of this book won’t grab your students’ attention, then the blurb from the back of the book will: “Featuring facts about stuff that’s slimy, mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly, and smelly!” Open the book and you’ll find scientific, historic, and gross facts about everybody’s secretions, smells, and scabs. Barf, burps, dandruff, farts, and… Continue reading This Book is Really Gross!