inspiration

Sell it

Here’s some enthusiastic advice about writing a bestseller. My favorite pieces: It doesn’t have to be perfect, and get it done. It doesn’t have to be fiction either. How to Write a Bestseller (Finally, the Truth of It!) | Positive Writer. http://positivewriter.com/bestseller-guide/

“Where do you get your ideas?” What writer hasn’t heard that question? Here’s Judy Blume’s answer about a couple of her many books. Judy Blume: ‘I buried this story for 40-something years’ http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/judy-blume-i-buried-this-story-for-40-something-years-1.2227888

Would you hire this character?

If a character doesn’t feel quite right, here are some questions you might consider. They are meant to help people on job interviews. Think of your character as your potential employee and of yourself as the boss. How would you answer? 8 Questions Every Candidate Should Ask During Job Interviews | Inc.com. http://www.inc.com/jerome-ternynck/8-questions-every-candidate-should-ask-during-job-interviews.html?cid=ps002ros

Merging traffic

One of the projects I’m working on — the one I dubbed my “10-year book” the other day — has me stuck. I’ve been working on adding another viewpoint, and it’s been awkward. One of Claire Fuller’s suggestions is working on them separately and merging them later. I’m trying it. If you’re stuck, maybe another Continue reading “Merging traffic”

‘She just doesn’t get me!’

What happens when someone who really understands people has to deal with someone who doesn’t? This article is about working with people who have low “emotional intelligence.” But it also describes some of their traits and those of high “EQ” folks, all of which can be used in character develpment. How to Work with PeopleContinue reading “‘She just doesn’t get me!’”

‘A voice of one’s own’

Working in journalism, I’ve learned a lot about writing in the “objective” style of the news. I’ve gotten pretty good at removing myself from stories. So good, in fact, that when I returned to fiction after a long hiatus, I couldn’t remember my own voice, my style. Here’s a nice piece, via Ryan Lanz, thatContinue reading “‘A voice of one’s own’”

Press on

Writers, like anyone else, have comfort zones. This interview from The Atlantic encourages us to push a little further, to take our own hero’s quest. By Heart: Anna North on Writing as a Quest – The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/by-heart-writing-means-wandering-into-the-unknown/393602/

Alone

Imagine being so isolated, you see no humans outside your family for 40 years. What would your life be like? This Smithsonian Magazine article tells a true story of such isolation. What an interesting premise for a piece of fiction. I can already imagine day-to-day interactions. For 40 Years, This Russian Family Was Cut OffContinue reading “Alone”

Ideas from Idaho

Every now and then, a visual prompt is just the thing to get me out of a writing slump. These photos of Idaho — yes, Idaho — have already generated some ideas. Pick one and write its 1,000 words. 14 images that prove Idaho might be the most underrated state in America – Matador NetworkContinue reading “Ideas from Idaho”

To write well

I remember reading On Writing Well — parts of it, anyway — in college. Zinsser offered valuable tips. It’s sad to hear he’s died. It may be time to take another look at the book. William Zinsser, Author Of ‘On Writing Well,’ Dies At 92. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7270170