Everything you write is your opinion. That includes “facts” that most people consider “truths”: birds fly, day turns to night, the earth is round. On the opposite end of the spectrum are viewpoints not usually regarded as truth or that aren’t provable: aliens are watching us, vampires are real, just think of money and you’ll … Read more
Have you ever had a writer or a professor tell you to “keep on writing” if you want to become a better writer? “Write a lot” or “write more” is another way to say it. Well-known, successful writers like Stephen King are often quoted as saying exactly that. And it’s frustrating. How can you become … Read more
“If I just had a little excitement in my life—if you know what I mean—I’d get some inspiration,” said Anna. I stared at my wine and swirled it around the bottom of my glass. I played dumb. “No, I don’t know what you mean. What exactly do you mean by excitement? Jumping off skyscrapers with … Read more
I’m on a big David Bowie kick right now. My previous Bowie kick was in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, but it was a different kind of kick. I was learning to play guitar, and I bought a big David Bowie songbook. I learned to play almost every song. The old stuff, anyway. Not … Read more
Update: Check out 10 Tips to Prepare for National Novel Writing Month for 2015! You’ll get far more than 10 tips and loads of details and links. Once again, it’s that time of year. Thirty days and nights of literary abandon. Thirty days and nights of writing our little fingers off. Thirty days and nights … Read more
Where else could writer’s block be? Of course it’s in your head. It’s not in your foot. It’s not a disease. It’s not an evil force that snatches up words and pithy phrases just as they start flowing. And it’s definitely not about your Muse refusing to tap you with her magic wand. But you … Read more
A reader sent me an email just a few days ago: Hi, I’m always very busy with job/family and I always neglect my blog. Did you write anything about it? Will you? I don’t know him, and this is the first time I’ve had an email from him. I’m not sure where his blog is, … Read more
Once upon a time, I was an assistant chef. I worked at a small but busy restaurant with the head chef, a few helpers, dishwashers, and about a dozen servers. For breaks and meals, everyone kicked back in a little storage room just off the kitchen. A big table and folding chairs made it our … Read more
Do you love poetry? Hate it? Feel indifferent? Every writer should read poetry and take a stab at writing it. Even if it’s not really your thing, your prose writing will improve if you’re at least acquainted with the basics of poetry and the more well-known poets. Some people think poetry is boring or stupid, … Read more
Do writers need a specific degree to be successful? Can you get writing skills without college? You’ve probably wondered about that if you’re an aspiring writer who never went to college. Could be you majored in something practical like business or computer science, or you earned a two-year technical degree. But now you want to … Read more