What if I told you the best way to learn how to create amazing plots and characters in your own stories was by purposeful osmosis? First, of course, I might have to explain that “purposeful osmosis” means reading lots and lots of books and watching lots and lots of movies–and consciously studying what it is about […]
November 20, 2011 by 59 Comments Researching Your Novel4 Reasons to Mimic Other Writers—and 3 Reasons Not to
Successfully mimicking other writers does not mean copying their words, plagiarizing them, or stealing from them. Rather, it boils down to nothing more or less than learning from their techniques. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, since in mimicking the other writers, we’re not only respecting their talent, we’re also gaining untold benefits to […]
June 26, 2011 by 46 Comments Writing LifeWhy There’s No Such Thing as a Writing Expert—And Why That’s a Good Thing
By the time I realized the art of writing a novel was something that could actually be learned, I had already written three (awful) books. When I was about halfway through my fourth book, I happened to be browsing the bottom shelves at the library, where I pulled out a book titled How to Write […]
January 24, 2011 by 4 Comments Writing LifeThe 3 Traits of a Successful Writer
Writers come in all shapes and sizes, from all personal backgrounds, all walks of life, all cultures and countries. We’re a varied bunch, but we all have something in common. In order to make it past first base in this business, all writers must possess three traits. These traits are non-negotiable. So what are these […]
January 23, 2011 by 65 Comments Researching Your Novel5 Reasons to Read the Same Type of Stories You Write
Aside from writing itself, reading is the single most important element in a healthy writing life. As Natalie Goldberg and Stephen King, respectively, point out: If you read good books, when you write, good books will come out of you. If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the […]
January 2, 2011 by 64 Comments Writing Life10 Writing Resolutions You Can Fulfill Today
Sometimes even the most well-intentioned writing resolutions can end up being whimsical, erratic, and just plain unrealistic. But when you focus on goals that are slightly more achievable, you’re not only more likely to pull them off, but you’ll also feel much better about yourself come deadline time. Following are ten writing resolutions you can […]
September 26, 2010 by 34 Comments Writing LifeThe Best Writing Advice
Because writing is an art form that can largely be learned, and because it is a craft that can always be perfected, most writers commit early on to studying to show themselves approved. We subscribe to magazines, buy books, read blogs, and attend workshops. We’re always on the hunt for that one sparkling bit of […]
May 9, 2009 by 58 Comments Writing LifeDo Writers HAVE to Be Readers?
Do writers have to be readers? Reading is fast becoming a lost art. In our digital age of television and Internet, even the leisurely reading of the morning paper is going out of habit with most people. Sometimes, when I happen to be in a particularly cynical frame of mind, I can’t help thinking the […]
