It happens at the most inopportune times. It happens when you’re driving, when you’re in the shower, when you’re running. When your mind finally quiets down, inspiration hits! That’s a great thing unless you’re in motion and can’t jot it down. What do you do in those situations? Do you pull over on the side of the road (hopefully you don’t try to text while driving)? Do you shorten your shower? Do you stop running mid-way? Or do you just let the idea slip right out of your hands? If you’re like me, you’re desperate to save inspired thoughts and…
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What do you when you’re writing gets stale? You do the following… INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY. Writing can become mundane even for the writing enthusiast. And when you’re bored, your readers are bored. Mix it up by expanding your vocab list. Check out This site, which teaches words like, “argute,” and “snudge.” You might not use every word you learn in your next manuscript, but the exercise will force you to spend time outside the box. Read more over at The Freelance Life where I’m guest blogging.
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Think of these features as the fast food of writing wisdom. Quick. Meaty. And effortless. Grab and go back to your writing. This week’s post is on fiction straight from the words of Rachel Joyce, author of a recent book I read and am still digesting: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. In the back of this inspiring novel, I found an interview between Joyce and another author, Charlotte Rogan. I gleaned a handful of fiction and even insights on life from their conversation. I hope you will too: Rachel Joyce: “Reading is a creative process. As writers, we must…
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There are developmental stages for ages. Stages for grief and loss. And even stages of sleep, pregnancy and labor. So I thought why not writing? Here are the 5 stages most writers go through from idea to publication. Stage 1: Eureka! Stage 1 is probably my favorite part. It’s when ideas form from nothingness. They’re conceived when showering, walking, and time spent zoning off into space. It’s an exciting part of the process when I can’t wait to get to my laptop or a notepad to jot down the crazy thoughts bouncing around in my head. It might be days…
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{by: guest blogger} My freelance lifestyle wasn’t born out of a dream to forge my own path, pursue my innate sense of creativity at all costs or even break free from the corporate grind. Nope, my motivations weren’t as lofty as all that. The way it really went was something like this: My husband was given a career-boosting opportunity that involved nine months of schooling in the Washington, D.C. area, with no idea where we would be moving next. We talked it over and decided together that he should take the opportunity, and before we knew it, we were…
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Pastor Joel Osteen says in one of his television sermons, “All is well.” I’m not religious, but I think his wise words can be applied to writing. That essay you wrote and completed, but haven’t found an outlet has a purpose. It works the same way for the poem you wrote as an angst teen. And although an agent hasn’t yet shown interest in your work, it doesn’t mean you should toss your manuscript yet. One thing I wish for other writers (and myself) is that they would enjoy the process of writing itself. These days we put too much…
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by: Carrie L. Lewis People involved in the writing business are lovers of words. Let’s face it. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, are an agent, a publisher, or an editor, there’s something about the written word that really gets you fired up. The way each person responds to the written word is different, of course, but they all share a common interest. Writers are most interested in creation. Getting their thoughts and ideas on paper in the most compelling manner possible. Editors, while intrigued by language, usually also have a passion for detail and accuracy, something the writer may or…
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What you write is worth the effort. Even if it never gets published. Anywhere. Even if not a single person lays their eyes upon it. Even if no one emails you, calls you or messages you that it’s the best thing they’ve ever written. It’s worth it even if it’s the worst thing you’ve ever wrote. Even if it follows hundreds of rejection slips. Even if it’s tucked in a drawer, never leaves your computer or your laptop. It’s worth it simply for the act of writing itself. Let your words write itself. Don’t judge it. Don’t tear it apart.…
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Going to the SCBWI Hawaii Chapter Conference was well-worth the Benjamin this weekend. I learned a ton about fiction-a topic I rarely write about. It was an eye-opening experience teaching me all the mistakes I’m making and probably will make in my fiction future. I thought I’d save you the expense by sharing all the secrets I learned this weekend. So close your wallets and pull up your laptop. It’s going to get good right now. 1) Showing off. It’s tempting to be like a peacock and show off your feathers. But puffing up your ego with superfluous verbiage may…
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Your muse. That nefarious, unpredictable, fickle elf (but don’t tell her that, I want to get on her good side!). Many writers say you don’t need one. Just put fingers to keyboard and type. Me? I need one. When I write when I’m fatigued, when I’m ill, when I’m uninspired, my work is kind of trashy. Ends up being deleted the next day. In my opinion, sick days are best for transcribing and editing. But there are secret ways I’ve learned to ease the muse out. It’s the reason why I’ve been bubbling up with ideas lately. I can’t write…