With Halloween around the corner, we’re looking for some spooky reads to get us into the spirit. What are some of your all time favorite scary children’s stories.
Category Archives: Administrator
Insomniacs Anonymous 10-15-18
Practical Prompt 10-8-18
If you’re struggling to keep your story on track during a first draft or a revision, take a moment to write down the one thing–the feel, or theme or idea–that most inspired you to write that particular story in the first place. That’s the heart of your story. It’s the thing you most want people to carry away with them after they finish reading your story and the plumb line in every scene. By putting it into words, you’ll have a clearer idea of what choices your characters will need to make and what actions they’ll need to take in each scene to remain true to the heart of your story.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged inspiration, practical prompt, story, writing, writing tips
Practical Prompt: 9-26-18
The more writers can put themselves into the shoes of the people populating their stories, the more authentic the characters will be to the reader. This week, try writing a scene from a POV other than your protagonist’s. Even if your novel is going to be single POV, the exercise will deepen your understanding of the supporting cast in your story, which will translate into more rounded and believable characters on the page.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged character development, characters, practical prompt, writing tips
Practical Prompt 9-10-18
When you attend a writing conference, workshop or book fair pay attention to how the established authors talk about their books. Note how they engage the audience. Do they tell you the story, how they wrote the story or a combination of both? Does the tone of their presentations match the genres of their novels? How do they project their voices and use body language to draw the audience in? Then, apply what you learned and decide how to best connect to your audience.
Posted in Administrator, Practical Prompts
Tagged conferences, practical prompts, writing tips
Write by Midnight Pep Talk 8-27-18
Interacting with other writers is a great way to stay energized about your own work. This month, find a way to engage with the writing community. Seek out a writer’s conference or book festival to attend. Libraries, book stores and universities host author lectures and book signings that you can check out, as well.
If you’re like us, being around the writers who attend these types of events will motivate you to go home and make your stories the best they can be. In our experience, fellow writers are usually more than happy to socialize and network. So don’t plan to just listen while you’re there. Talk to those around you. Ask them about their projects. Share what you’re working on. You’re likely to find people who can offer solutions to some of the struggles you’ve faced. And you’re likely to walk away feeling more confident about your own projects.