Don’t let the holidays stall your writing. Now is the time to test out new strategies to keep making progress on your manuscript. Try dictating into your phone when you’re away from your computer. Or, keep a notebook in your pocket while you’re shopping to capture brilliant lines before you lose them. Experiment with a few voice-to-text apps for your portable device. If you’re revising, print out a hard copy of one of the scenes you’re working on and keep it with you. Then, if you’re stuck somewhere waiting, you can use that time to edit it. By getting creative, you’ll be able to move your project forward despite your busy schedule.
Practical Prompt 12-10-18
Your Novel in Notecards: A Revision Exercise
Naomi Hawkins-Rowe
It has been over a year since I finished the first draft of my novel and I would really be humbled to say I have a very clean, ready-to-be-sent-draft. I don’t. The reason most likely stems from the fact that I wasn’t really sure where to start with revision. It’s an overwhelming beast, as I am sure you know if you’ve been sadistic enough to do it. Most days my brain hurts just thinking about it. I began the process by doing a complete read through and then going chapter by chapter rewriting and making more notes in the sidebar until my Word doc looked like a flippin’ Norton Anthology.
Let me tell you a secret: I’ve been informed there’s a better way. Continue reading
Posted in Naomi's Posts
Tagged #amwriting, #SCBWIMIDSOUTH, conferences, first draft, Multi-POV, plot, revision, structure, The Magic Words, writing tips
Write By Midnight Pep Talk 11-26-2018
The WriteOwls are getting excited for the 2019 Write By Midnight challenge in February. We’d love to hear from you about what you’d like to see from us this year. What tools, tips and resources would help you best in your quest to keep writing every day?
Practical Prompt 11-19-2018
This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving – a day when families gather together and carry on long-held traditions. As you work on your manuscript, decide how family traditions, or the lack of them, will shape each of your characters.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged character development, characters, practical prompts, writing tips
Insomniacs Anonymous 11-12-2018
In observance of Veteran’s Day, what are your favorite books for kids and teens with a war-time setting?
Posted in Administrator, Insomniacs Anonymous