The Composition Book: A Writer's Tool to Vicarious Living

Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The scenario: I'm writing a story set in a town I have never visited. The rough draft flows through me but as I begin to rewrite I'm aware that some of the more important details needed to bring life to the scene require a more intimate knowledge of the city. I'm searching the Internet, not getting very far, when I realize I have another resource--someone who lives there.The emails fly. What does...
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Interview with Wave Geber - Winter 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wave’s Bio: I began writing my blog a few years ago, after spending enormous amounts of time in bed... Well, actually, there were a couple of years before that, after the diagnosis, when I spent enormous amounts of time (and money) playing online poker in bed...but eventually I got a grip, and began writing about my life, especially what it’s like to live with metastatic breast cancer... The wavesworld...
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Testing the Non-Fiction Waters

Monday, June 28, 2010
For the past decade, I've been toying with an idea for a non-fiction book. While the idea appeals to me, I'm not certain how well the inspiration will transfer to paper. In other words, I'm not sure if there's a market for the final product.Now, I hear what you're saying: If you don't sit down and write, you'll never know if it will work. Very true, I respond. But before I even begin, I need questions answered. If you're considering a non-fiction proposal, you may need to consider these...
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The Arts Profile: More Than a Puff Piece

Saturday, June 26, 2010
In the upcoming weeks, I am lucky to be able to interview both an area sculptor and a Christian rock band that's on a nationwide tour raising funds for Haiti earthquake victims. Both artists expressed thanks for giving them the opportunity to promote their work.When reading art profiles, I often finish with an empty feeling, like the writer barely skimmed the surface and wrote a bare-bones article that doesn't make me want to learn more about the artist or his/her/their work.I refuse...
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Hot Inspiration

Friday, June 25, 2010
Outdoor activities sizzle and spark creative juices. Pictures in the mind or from the camera inspire hot colors and sweaty ideas, which fuel hot inspiration. Sunsets full of wonderful colors, hot pinks, vivid blues, brilliant yellows and luscious lavenders merge together to create new colors. Flowers of every shade contrast against the blanket of green grass. Visit a poem from childhood. Every...
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Hints on Giving Helpful Writing Critiques

Friday, June 25, 2010
All helpful critiques are alike; each unhelpful critique is unhelpful in its own way. I’ve been a part of many different writing workshops and critique groups – some of which were fun, positive experiences that left me feeling refreshed and energized. Others left me feeling like I should never write again. Whether you are enrolled in a creative writing workshop, discussing a story in your writing group, or giving a friend some feedback on her story, here are some general guidelines...
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Is Your Writing Dating You?

Thursday, June 24, 2010
In a world where the latest “in” thing changes from month to month, if not week to week do you ever wonder if you’re dating yourself when you write? After all, it takes a long time to write an 80,000 word novel. Then there’s the process of finding an agent and publisher, going through the editing phase and finally getting your book into the stores. We’re talking years here.So when readers pick up...
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The Reading Writer

Wednesday, June 23, 2010
By Jill Earl“If you do not have the need to read, you don't have the right to write.”The quote above is from C. Hope Clark, editor of Funds For Writers, a newsletter and website dedicated to all things writing. A couple of years ago, she wrote a pair of articles addressing her strong view that writers must be readers, and gave readers permission to quote her. Reading it again brought back a conversation I had one day a few years before.I was reading and waiting for a bus after work, when...
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Pia Padukone, Winter 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pia Padukone is an aspiring author and a proud native of New York City, where most of her stories take place. A graduate of Stuyvesant High School and the London School of Economics, Pia entered the professional writing world as a copywriter for advertising agencies. She has written children’s books, which embrace the importance of growing up tolerant and understanding in a multicultural environment....
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Writing Your Life Into Short Creative Essays: Tips from Melanie Faith

Monday, June 21, 2010
"In the writing of memoirs, as in the production of shows, too much caution causes the audience to nod and think of other channels." Gerald Clarke. The writer in us desires to share where we've been, what we've learned, our thoughts on life, love, forgiveness, strength and the art of being human. We pick up the pen and...suddenly all our experiences seem dull and lifeless. Good news, Melanie Faith...
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Giving Advice

Sunday, June 20, 2010
What do you do when a good friend or relative asks you to read her manuscript, give it a "critique" (or at least tell her what you think of it), and. . .it's not good? Not only is it not good, but it also breaks all the rules of writing--all the rules that first-time authors are definitely supposed to follow. She makes mistakes like changing points of view without any sort of pattern, using cliche...
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Trading, Borrowing...and Learning Words

Saturday, June 19, 2010
During my youth, I enjoyed completing crosswords. It is something I was certain I would continue into adulthood. But with kids and running from place to place, I'm not finding a lot of time to sit around and ponder letter and words to fit into the tiny squares. I continue to buy crossword puzzle books though. Stocking up for the days when a quiet moment--not spent on the computer--is the standard and not the exception. For a time when I don't have writing assignments or reading assignments...
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Who Should Go to Writer's Conferences?

Friday, June 18, 2010
All writers should go to at least one Writer's Conference. Most conferences have something for everyone, even readers and spouses. There are classes and workshops for the novelist, the short story writer, the article writer, and the poet. Writer's conferences are all about networking and support. There you will meet people who will become your lifelong friends and people who know people. The comradeship...
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Three-Act Structure in Play Writing

Thursday, June 17, 2010
Frank Capra said, "I made mistakes in drama. I thought drama was when actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries."For me, I would hope the tears came because the theme of the play resonated with the audience and not because my drama was dreadful.The idea of watching a troupe of actors bring my words to life on stage intrigues me. As a high school drama director, finding a quality play that makes a statement and an impact on the audience is important....and difficult. I've tinkered...
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Back to the Essentials of Writing at Writing Conferences

Wednesday, June 16, 2010
After attending the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference (PWC) from June 11-13, I am now filled with new ideas and motivation to write, market my writing, and write some more! The conference offered many different workshops and lectures on fiction, nonfiction and poetry writing, guest speakers like Jeffrey Zaslow and Larry Kane, and a Q&A session with a panel of agents and editors. Self-Marketing One of the most helpful sessions for me was a panel led by PWC board member Don Lafferty,...
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Interview with Laura Silver - Winter 2010 Flash Fiction 3rd Place Winner

Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Laura works as an administrator for the Audubon Society. Thanks to the oddities of American pronunciation, she gets to explain the difference between the Audubon, a 19th century bird artist, and the Autobahn, the no-speed-limit expressway in Europe. A Brooklynite, Laura also volunteers for the Green-Wood cemetery. She also enjoys cooking and calligraphy. Laura earned a degree in English from Tufts...
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Take Your Book to School

Monday, June 14, 2010
“No one visits bookstores anymore.” Someone said that to me during a recent book signing(a dreadfully sad little book signing)and I had to admit that for many people that’s true. As the author of one book with two more in the offing I have to ask myself, “If not bookstores—where?” Where do I go with my stacks of books, bookmarks, and black felt tip pen?Think outside the box, they say. (Don’t they...
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It’s June--How Are Those Writing Goals Workin’ For ‘Ya?

Sunday, June 13, 2010
Can you believe we’re six months into 2010 already? How are you doing with your writing goals? Well, mid-year, is a great time to fine-tune your list to make sure you’re on track for the rest of the year. Check out some of the suggestions below.You’ve Made Your List, Now Check It TwiceA lot can happen in six months, especially when it comes to your writing. Do a run-through it to make sure your goals still meet your expectations.Hitting the WallNot getting the amount of assignments you...
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Make Your Writing Space Focus-Friendly

Saturday, June 12, 2010
Have you been having trouble getting into your groove--your writing groove that is? Days when the heart is willing but the mind won't follow? When the season changes from grey to golden we tend to blame Spring Fever and maybe we're right. We are, after all, creatures of nature and as such our biological selves need a change of season and a shift of habit. If you've been finding yourself in a focus-funk,...
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Food Writing Tips from Mary MacRae Warren

Friday, June 11, 2010
Just thinking about food writing is making me hungry! The delicious descriptions, the decadent prose, and the delectable subject matter allow writers to "play with their food," so to speak. Who wouldn't want to break into food writing? Food is what brings us together across the globe and across the table; and food writing--whether a food news story, a food memoir, or recipe writing--seems to be increasing...
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Twist On an Old Topic

Thursday, June 10, 2010
Last time I posted, I discussed writing articles that had a different slant for topics that have been done a million times like water safety or Abraham Lincoln. That post also made me think about novels and plot lines, and I've decided that the same concepts can be applied to longer works.At one critique group I belonged to, somebody told me there are no new stories. All plots can be categorized...
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