Writerinterrupted

LATEST ARTICLES ( 432 )

• Avoiding Apostrophe Catastrophes

  

  My family refuses to enter a restaurant with me until they have conducted a search and seize, emptying my purse of anything that even resembles a writing... Read more

  Posted on 01 September 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Show Emotion Instead of Naming It

  

  Instead of naming an emotion, show the character under the strain of the emotion. Instead of writing, “Anger burned through her,” show the anger burning... Read more

  Posted on 29 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Dialogue Tags

  

  The writing book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King (second edition) is one of the best books for bumping your writing up to the nex... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Creating Quirky Characters

  

  Writers are fabulous people-watchers. We have to be. After all, the imaginary characters we create must seem both true-to-life and intriguing to the reader. Read more

  Posted on 20 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Nuts and Bolts on Writing

  

  I wanted to discuss some of the “nuts and bolts” of this writing business. Some of my observations and lessons I’ve learned over the twenty-six years I have bee... Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Growing Grammar: COMMAndments

  People generally approach grammar and liver the same way. They either dive in with gusto or grow pale, start sweating, and look for the nearest exit. Read more

  Posted on 13 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• The Secrets of a Sentence

  There’s a story about George Washington Carver. He asked God to reveal the secrets of the universe, and God was silent. He asked God to reveal the secrets of... Read more

  Posted on 11 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Character Goals and Motivation

  A goal is like an agenda. Something the character wants. It has to be hard to get. Readers like to see the character struggle. They like to know what the... Read more

  Posted on 06 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• How to Improve on a Blank Page

  One of the most common questions I get from aspiring writers is “How do I start?” The ideas are in their heads, but the problem is getting them on paper. Read more

  Posted on 04 August 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Plot: Series of Scenes

  There are many different ways a writer plots–you could say it’s an individual thing. I think as writers we listen and learn about the various techniques that... Read more

  Posted on 30 July 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• The Role of the Synopsis When Submitting

  Why do I need to cut a synopsis? While I haven’t talked to every editor and agent on the planet, the majority of the ones I’ve spoken to prefer a 2-3 page... Read more

  Posted on 28 July 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• How Do You Get Published?

  When I attended my 15-year high school reunion recently, the number one question I was asked was, “How do you get published?” or “How do I get published? Read more

  Posted on 23 July 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Querying With an Unfinished Manuscript

  AS A FIRST TIME AUTHOR, should you finish your manuscript before you query an editor? I have been asked this question by all kinds of hopeful writers, and the... Read more

  Posted on 21 July 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Basic Plotting Tips

  

  When we are talking about a plot, I am compelled to say: SHOW DON’T TELL. You might study some of your favorite movies. A movie has to show you what is going on... Read more

  Posted on 16 July 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• No, I Haven’t Fallen Off the Face of the Earth

  

  I’ve just been interrupted! As with all interrupted writers, we go through seasons of change and well, interruptions in our writing. This blog has been dormant... Read more

  Posted on 30 June 2015 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• #AngelWarz – Prologue

  

  Note: The prologue for #AngelWarz is the only episode I’ll post on the blog. If you or your young readers would like to receive all the episodes, subscribe to m... Read more

  Posted on 15 August 2014 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Organizing Schedules So You Can Find More Time to Write

  

  As writers it’s easy to make excuses not to write, but add a busy family and back to school schedules, and it seems like squeezing in writing time is impossible. Read more

  Posted on 12 August 2014 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• #AngelWarz: The Beginning of the End Starts in 2 Weeks

  

  The final, epic battle for humanity won’t be fought by humans. #AngelWarz is the story of two kids who soon discover that they’re not ordinary.... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2014 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Top 10 Signs You May Have an Instagram Probelm

  

  Photo courtesy Flickr Creative Commons and swpave I enjoy Instagram as much as the next guy. But some of you are getting a little carried away. Here are my top... Read more

  Posted on 01 August 2014 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION

• Are There Angels Among Us?

  

  Photo Courtesy Flickr Creative Commons and gacabo We’ve always been a little obsessed by angels. And why not? Of all the characters in the bible, angels are... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2014 LIFE COACH, SELF EXPRESSION