can't help telling stories
While “long-form” articles aren’t exactly novels, they are a way to practice writing that is longer than, say, a blog post. It’s also a way to turn research for a novel into something that a) you might be able to sell, or b) you could use to build an audience for your later work. This article has a few tips about “long-form” articles.
The Secrets of Writing Smart, Long-Form Articles That Go Absolutely Viral
Yesterday, I had lunch with some writer friends. When we meet, we always have a writing agenda and yesterday we were talking about character development. In the course of the discussion, we also talked about writers who do that well. I’ve made a note to read a couple of books by Maeve Binchy and an old classic, Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore. We can always learn by reading other writers. If, by some chance, you have missed Shirley Jackson, here’s a quick intro to her work. Put her on your list.
A.M. Homes on Shirley Jackson | Penguin Blog
http://penguinblog.co.uk/2015/03/01/a-m-homes-on-shirley-jackson-2/
Feeling like you’re just imagining you’re a writer? That you have no talent? And clearly lack a grip on reality? Bryan Hutcinson has felt all that. He found the inspiration to move beyond “Writer’s Doubt” from Joss Whedon.
What Joss Whedon Can Teach You About Writing (The Avengers Writer) | Positive Writer
http://positivewriter.com/joss-whedon-teach-writing/
Gossip has a bad reputation. It may stem from kindergarten experiences with the “telephone game,” the one in which a message whispered around the room gets warped in passing. But gossip is a great tool for your characters to use. Imagine the potential for description without resorting to “as I checked my red hat in the mirror, I saw… .” And, as this article points out, not all gossip is bad.
Five Hidden Benefits Of Gossip
http://m.fastcompany.com/3043161/work-smart/five-hidden-benefits-of-gossip?partner=superfeed&utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral
Keeping at it — writing every day — is a challenge many face. Even the greats, John Steinbeck, for example, face it. For a glimpse into Steinbeck’s routine and the doubts he overcame, here is a synopsis of Working Days, his journal of The Grapes of Wrath. Then write. And repeat.
Working Days: John Steinbeck, the Art of Discipline, and the Diary as a Pacemaker for the Heartbeat of Creative Work | Brain Pickings
http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/03/02/john-steinbeck-working-days/
sharon p. lynn 