Fix your Purple Prose! The mantra of many creative writing teachers. But how do you fix Purple Prose and what do they mean when they say “Purple Prose?” In short, Purple Prose is: Convoluted descriptions Unnecessary descriptive words stacked on top of each other Overly flowery style Or any content that attracts the reader’s attention […]
The cotton fills the room. It surrounds my head. Invisibly familiar, I’m so tired. It fills my sinuses, fattens my ears, and scrapes my throat. Oh… the process. Cotton within, old burns without. I’m snarky now and sometimes unkind, too. But gawd… the cotton and the tired. Oddly, I get more done this way. With
The Cotton (a Random Poem) Read More »
Writers Block is a paradox that enables writers to avoid doing what they love, and it often strikes when on the cusp of writing a deep, brilliant narrative. Writers Block is an interdimensional, many-tentacled Kraken. Like Cthulhu, it sits happily reaching through dimensions of time continuously futzing with writers as it fondles our minds with
Writers Block & How to Beat It Read More »
How to Become a Better Writer? Write. Write until you can’t possibly make something any more beautiful, and then ask for feedback and watch people nitpick your creations. Learn to sift through sound advice and terrible advice. Find sources outside of your echo chamber that will make you grow. Asking “How do I Become a
How to Become a Better Writer? Writers WRITE A LOT. Read More »
Show and Tell. Which is better? Most Teachers will tell you, “Show don’t Tell!” And they couldn’t be more wrong. This article focuses on the importance of Telling and how writers can counterbalance Showing appropriately. For Showing examples, consider reading “Show Don’t Tell” Is a Tool, Not a Rule.” “Showing” for a story is like
Show and Tell Balanced Well Read More »
“Show, Don’t Tell” is an unbalanced statement Three simple steps to Show and Tell with balance Show and Tell are superhero tools with different abilities. If your scene begs dynamic detail, SHOW it. If you need something stated or sped up, TELL it. Quoting “Show, Don’t Tell,” with little explanation destroys the path of many
“Show Don’t Tell” Is a Tool, Not a Rule Read More »
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT? A stumper throughout history. What good are acumen and education if you have no ideas? Here are techniques to create and evolve ideas. We will use daydreaming (a powerful trance state) to create great things. What should I write about?? Using writing prompts correctly Expecting brilliant thoughts to pop into
What Should I Write About!? Read More »
“Resonance Structures” are more than a chemistry term; they’re literary tools for writers. Resonance pulls readers in and makes them feel a deja vu and reminiscence. Good writers do this, but the best use Literary Resonance Structures MASTERFULLY. Tolkien, did he utilize Literary Resonance Structures? How can I write stories with resonance structures? Tolkien is
Resonance Structures in Writing – Examples of Resonance Read More »
Derivative work, plagiarism, and resonance are distinctly different things, and this article aims to define them and expound on resonance briefly. What is a derivative work? And is derivative work legal? What would happen if a writer (we’ll call him Bob) took “The Lord of The Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien and copied it word for word
Derivative Work, Plagiarism, and Resonance Explained Read More »
Ever get feedback that your writing sucks? That you’re too intense? That you’re going to scare away your readers? Or your friends? Or your strangers? I heard feedback like this the other day, “You’re brilliant, but your writing sucks! It’s like Invader Zim used your ideas to convert a colony of Smurfs into Vikings. Don’t
“Your Writing SUCKS, You’re Too Much!” Ever Hear This? Read More »
A “God of Darkness?” You? No, that’s not possible; you’re a successful author. I’ve read all your books, and you’re amazing! Wowzers! Tell me all the things so I can be like you! Oh… Wait… Stay away. Is this author a “God of Darkness?” Or an educator I should emulate? How much of their products
God of Darkness – What Writers May Become Read More »
Negative feedback? Positive feedback? Hypercritical feedback? What do they all have in common? Feedback, and any feedback, can provide insight. Sadly, I know writers who refuse any form of feedback, and this is a tragedy. As an author, you must look past your creations and allow them to grow. Your story is a product; it
Negative Feedback? Is all of it Negative? Is It? Read More »
Write Good! (ironic as ‘Write Good’ is bad English? meh) I’m jumping headfirst into writing a Novel and Short Stories on the side. For me, it’s not so bad to suck at writing. It’s bad to give up on it. Write Good! Get Good at Writing! Balancing Spontaneity AND Reality Why am I good at
Write Good! Someday I Will Write Good! Read More »
You Are Awesome. Did you know you are awesome? When I was six years old, I had an epiphany… Never doubt that you are an awesome writer. I will never doubt that I am, and here’s why. I was six years old when I had the epiphany that I’d be a great writer. Epiphanies AND
You Are Awesome, and An Awesome Writer Read More »