The National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge is a many-faceted thing. To describe the experience, I found myself needing to mash up some fresh word concotions. Technically every month is NaNoWriMo for me. I do between 15,000 and 20,000 words per week of fiction writing. Sure, that’s all pure, gunky draft but it’s out there! […]
Read More…Microsoft Office is still the most popular office software used worldwide. By extension, I assume most writers are still using Microsoft Office, though many other specialty programs and tools exist, such as Scrivener. I write for About.com as the Office Software Expert, connecting readers with productivity tools, tips, and resources. I recently created this slide […]
Read More…I just participated on a Salt Lake Comic Con Writers Retreat panel called Planning and Outlining Your Novel and Finding Time to Write. Here’s an outlining tool that has worked awesomely for me, probably because I created it so it’s all about how my brain works. Who knows, it might be your thing, too. Worth […]
Read More…Here are ten things from the planet Mars that might apply to something you are writing, especially if it’s a serial novel. Ray Bradbury’s writing is equal parts imaginative science fiction and poetic prose. He’s a favorite of mine but somehow I missed reading his short story compilation THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES until recently. It did […]
Read More…One doesn’t read Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL. One devours it! In my case, I devoured it through my ears by listening to the fantastic audiobook version read by Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne. I could not put it down, resulting in extra walks and a cleaner apartment than I’ve seen in months. Win! I haven’t felt that […]
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I have the opportunity to be a panelist at next week’s FantasyCon 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Naturally, I’m so excited!! My panel centers around my travel and research for HULDUSNOOPS, a middle grade fantasy and mystery series about the Icelandic Huldufólk or “Hidden People” many Icelanders believe in to this day. The first book in the […]
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I’ve found that writing morally complex characters boils down to simultaneously setting them up to fail and succeed. At some juncture in the story, even a “good” character should seem just as likely to make the wrong choice as the right one! Strong characters are described in layers so that by the time they reach […]
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My iPod includes several songs which are either directly or indirectly about writing. For whatever reason, they inspire me to keep going with my writing projects. Here’s my list, in hopes that you’ll add yours in the comments. I need some new tunes! 1. Open Book by Cake – While I realize this is a song […]
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You’ve prioritized. You’ve communicated your goal to others in your life to negotiate more writing time. You’ve shown at least some discipline! But if you haven’t committed to measures that feel a little bit crazy, you may be missing opportunities to become a more productive writer. I say this based on my experience of never getting anywhere […]
Read More…It turns out Alison Bechdel gave creatives not only a recipe for becoming more enlightened human beings, but a way to be more business-savvy as well. The test bearing her name helps quantify the representation of women in film, novels, and other creative works. Bechdel Test 101 So what is it? In case you can’t […]
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The Productive Author 