When writers ask me for my one, surefire, absolute best piece of writing advice, my prompt answer is, “Write every day.” By that, I mean establish a consistent writing schedule and stick to it, come hurricane or heartburn. Don’t feel like writing today? Doesn’t matter, write anyway. Sick as a dog today? Write anyway. Hate […]
March 1, 2013 by 30 Comments Writing InspirationHow to Dig for Your Best Story Idea
This post is by Carrie Spencer. I remember the first manuscript I wrote—after I decided to become a romance writer. Do you? I was forty-seven, had a decent command of the English language, and thought, For as many romance novels as I’ve read, this should be a piece of cake. I should have thought, a piece of tripe. Oy. […]
February 15, 2013 by 28 Comments Writing InspirationWriting Doubts: Climbing Out of the Pit
This guest post is by Bryan Hutchinson. Sometimes I want to give up. Sometimes I don’t want to write anymore. And sometimes I do give up and stop writing. Have you been there? Stuck and filled with doubt. Seth Godin has a great term called The Dip for when you’re in a temporary setback, when you are ready to give […]
January 2, 2013 by 4 Comments Writing InspirationThe Best Writing Posts From 2012
As we start off into the wild new frontier of 2013, I thought it would be fun to take a break from the video posts and look back at some of the most popular posts from the last year. So just in case you missed them, here are the Top 10 Writing Posts of 2012 (as ranked […]
December 21, 2012 by 76 Comments Writing InspirationHow Music Affects the Writing Process
Music is used in stores to prolong the shopping experience. In movies, music (or the lack of it) is utilized to enhance the scene. Advertising agencies have invested time and money into music for jingles that keep products in your head or a television series in the forefront of your mind. Music is also one of the key aspects […]
March 2, 2012 by 33 Comments Writing InspirationThe Benefits of Reading Deprivation
She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.—Louisa May Alcott First, thanks to K.M. for inviting me to be a guest at Wordplay. Romance University is in such fabulous company among Write to Done’s other Top 10 Blogs! We’re going to talk about something potentially painful today, so square your shoulders, puff […]
February 19, 2012 by 65 Comments Writing InspirationA Wordplayer’s Manifesto
To make the most of your life as a writer, you must understand the core principles and defining moments of being an author. You must boldly claim your goals, and you must remember, refine, and renew your commitments every day. To help you keep your sights set high, you need to declare yourself to yourself, […]
January 4, 2012 by 8 Comments Writing InspirationOne Handy Way to Add Originality to Your Fantasy Novel
One of the reasons speculative readers love fantasy is the originality. When reality doesn’t apply, the possibilities for unique characters, worlds, powers, politics (you name it) are endless. But one of the chief complaints of many veteran fantasy readers is that few stories actually provide that sense of originality. (Raise your hand of you’ve ever […]
December 18, 2011 by 40 Comments Writing InspirationHow Do You Decide Which Story You Should Write?
Most writers don’t have ideas because they’re writers. They write because they have ideas. Mountains of ideas. Hordes of ideas. Overwhelming oceans upon oceans of ideas. For me, just looking at my overflowing idea file can sometimes give me a rather counter-intuitive bout of depression. How am I ever going to live long enough to […]
December 12, 2011 by 6 Comments Writing InspirationMemory and Imagination: Discover How to Use This Tantalizing Team in Your Writing
Memory and imagination are inherently linked: everything we build in our imaginations is the product of the raw materials supplied to us by our previous life experience—i.e., our memory. Because all memories are faulty, to one degree or another, empty spaces open up in our minds, which our imaginations can then take advantage of and […]
