Anthropologic Laboratory
General, Writing » QuotesSeptember 4th, 2008
For a novelist, a given historic situation is an anthropologic laboratory in which he explores his basic question: what is human existence?
- Milan Kundera (Czech writer)
Fellow novelists, do you feel as though you question the foundations of human existence in your writing?
Perhaps this may not be so for romance writers, or not felt as deeply.
Or perhaps it is felt deepest by romance writers, as they often deal with humanity on an intimate level, in terms of emotions and heartbreak.
Share and Share Alike
Business » Agents, Links, Publishing, QuotesJuly 17th, 2008
Writers are sharing a lot with each other this week. There are great things happening and I want you to be a part of it. In this post I’ll talk about J.A. Konrath’s free e-book that guides newbie authors on publishing, remind you about a great forum to reference when looking for agents and publishers, and advertise Lynn Viehl’s workshop where fellow authors and writers offer their knowledge in a week-long online convention.
Writing for the Love of it
General, Writing » Craft, Quotes, Tips, Tools, Writer's BlockApril 22nd, 2008
I once got into an odd conversation with someone about writing… let’s call this person Frank the Writer. So Frank saw my pile of writing magazines, and I could tell by his expression upon opening one of the issues that he was surprised I highlighted certain sentences which I found insightful or helpful to me as a writer. Watching him read my notes in my old Writer’s Digest, Poets & Writers, and The Writer issues was, for some reason, like watching a child realize there is no Santa.
Refresh Your Writing
Writing » Craft, Quotes, Writer's BlockJanuary 29th, 2008
Caricature drawn by Worderella
If you have Writer’s Block, you have sapped all of your creative juices. We writers tend to think we should write all the time without replenishing our imagination, which is as unhealthy as exercising all the time without stopping to replenish fluids. How do you replenish your imagination? Get in contact with people! We attempt the impossible by trying to transcribe the unorganized chaos of life into an organized plot that (dare I say it?) makes sense, is engaging, and means something.
Quote: Tight Plot
Writing » Plot, QuotesSeptember 25th, 2007
Boiled down to its basic elements, a plot is comprised of people with motives which meet resistance, creating conflict and leading to consequences. Scenes must either advance the plot or develop one or more of your characters so avoid waffling on if it isn’t relevant. If when re-reading you do find a section which is a touch on the flabby side, rewrite so that it works with the plot and characters, or steel yourself and press the delete key.
- Mike Philips
Quote: Effective Openings
Writing » QuotesAugust 21st, 2007
An effective opening may do many things at once. It might set up the main characters and their relationship, it might describe a setting or a dramatic event, it will probably always introduce key themes.
- Michèle Roberts
Quote: Try, Try Again
General, Writing » QuotesJuly 27th, 2007
- Thomas Alva Edison
Quote: Failure to Please
Business, General, Writing » Announcements, Fun, QuotesJuly 19th, 2007
A writer attempts to show how even a well-known classic author wouldn’t cut it in today’s cutthroat publishing business.
Quote: Big Ideas, Small Words
Writing » QuotesJuly 16th, 2007
To get your ideas across use small words, big ideas, and short sentences.
- John Henry Patterson
Eight Writing Tips by Vonnegut
Writing » Craft, Quotes, Tips, ToolsJuly 10th, 2007
1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
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