Fly Away, Words
A writer does not determine the worth of his words. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? A writer’s job is to write and refine the words, then release them into the world.
It is the readers who determine the worth of those words and, even as it happens with artists, that worth might not be realized in his [...]
Trust Your Pen
You never know where your pen might take you or your character. As Judy Reeves suggests in Writers Book of Days, the first image your mind grabs when you see a prompt or writing practice topic can often reveal much if you follow it.
My best flash fiction and short stories were all written this way. [...]
“What if…?” Loving Research
I’m not a very disciplined researcher, but convolution works for me. Read a novel set in regency Europe, get curious about history, find a link to the Dal Riata and their movements east, trigger memories of movie tidbits and the word “wode.” Those are the ingredients to a research feast, though the time period is [...]
Details: How Much Do You Know?
Historical writing requires research if you wish to maintain some level of accuracy. Fantasy writing often takes place in a setting similar to medieval Europe, and the research you do can enhance the tidbits you give your readers. Writing a piece set in any age in the past might require a little research. Writing a [...]
Settings: The Big Picture
Continuing the series of using images to provide detail for your writing, we’ll look at settings today. As a reminder, these are absolutely not necessary, but can be helpful in keeping things straight in your mind or providing those unconscious details that enrich your prose.
Where do your characters hang out? Do you have a good [...]
