I don’t want to be a writer anymore. Why should I bleed on paper just for some editor’s red pen to bleed all over it? My ideas aren’t that good and no one ever reads my work. No publisher’s ever going to like it. Besides, it’s giving me tendinitis. No, I’m done with writing. I’m going to find a career with a steady income and consistent job description.
Here to learn? You’re in the WRITE place!
At The Write Practice, we publish a new article each day designed to help writers tackle one part of their writing journey, from generating ideas to grammar to writing and publishing your first book. Each article has a short practice exercise at the end to help you immediately put your learning to use.
Check out the latest articles below or find ones that match your interest in the sidebar.
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What Are Plot Holes and Why Should You Avoid Them
Sometimes when you’re writing, you get so caught up in where your story is going that you’ve forgotten a few details that you previously established at the beginning of your book.
Sometimes those details are smaller, like having a character approach your protagonist from behind when you’ve established that the protagonist is on the top row of the stadium bleachers, and there is no way you can sneak up on them from behind. Sometimes those details are bigger, like a previously-unbeatable monster suddenly being dispatched with ease with a butter knife.
These inconsistencies are called plot holes.
Write About What Scares You
We all experience fear from time to time. But what about those things that truly terrify us, those situations that may not even ever happen? Our fear may not always be rational, but this deep-rooted emotion is a powerful tension to insert into our writing.
Because fear is not something we enjoy feeling, it is also often uncomfortable to write about—which is what makes the end result fascinating.
Here are some things to keep in mind when writing about fear:
Why You Should Be Excited About Failure and Rejection
I once asked over fifty writers what their biggest fear was. Can you guess what the most popular answer was? It shouldn’t be hard. You’re probably afraid of the same thing.
Writers fear Rejection.
We’re afraid our story—the one we’ve been working on for years—won’t be taken seriously. Worse, we’re afraid our work will be ignored completely.
How do you deal with and the fear of failure and rejection?
How to Name Your Characters
Every character needs a memorable name. Your character could have the most interesting personality, the most incredible predicament, and could be forgotten if his name is Bob Smith. You need the perfect mixture of unique and believable.
No ideas? That’s okay. Here are five ways to pick out the perfect name.
Why You Should Write Serialized Novels: Interview With Plympton Publishing
Serialized novels are gaining popularity, both in the mass market and literary worlds.
Margaret Atwood is in the middle of her sci-fi novel Positron which is available for free on Byliner. (I read the first Episode. It was very fun!). Alexander McCall Smith, of The Ladies #1 Detective Agency fame, published his serial 44 Scotland Street in the Edinburugh newspaper The Scotsman a few years ago. (I read it much later, and enjoyed it immensely.) And Sean Platt and David Wright’s series, Yesterday’s Gone, was created by two well known writer’s in the blogging world who leverage their platforms to publish their fiction.
However, what most people don’t realize is that serialized novels have a long history, at least that’s what Yael Goldstein Love of Plymtpon Publishing says.
Do You Write from Experience or Imagination?
Is your writing fuelled by everyday life and experiences or by imagination? Of course, these two are often mixed together; yet, you probably draw more from one than the other. You may be the type of person who eavesdrops in coffee shops and later writers stories.
You may be shut down at home, pulled into a parallel world of other planets, creatures and sixth and seventh senses.
The Importance of Positive Self-Talk for Writers
A supportive tone produces better results.
I didn’t learn how to drive till I was in my 30’s. My parents did not want me to learn when my classmates got their permits. Old school. Then, I just kept putting it off.
When I sat behind the steering wheel with my husband at my side, I soon realized it wasn’t the best idea. Having been a driver for years my husband just wanted me to do it.
The next day my new teacher, a close friend confirmed I had made the right choice. She had the voice I needed to hear. My friend praised every effort I made. When I write I hear her voice, “That’s better, I knew you could do it.”
Wunderkammer
Every item has a set purpose. Sometimes that purpose is merely entertainment or wonder. Other times the purpose is intrinsic and habitual. But what happens when an item is re-purposed?
How to Find Time to Write
As much as I’m eager for the arrival of spring—with its longer days and warmer temperatures—the jump forward due to Daylight Saving Time this weekend means we lost an hour of time.
These days, every minute seems precious. With so many commitments, activities, and demands on our time, it’s difficult to carve out a small window for doing what we love. (And sometimes when that time pops up, we may not be in the mood to write—because let’s be honest, writing isn’t always easy!).
How can we find time to write? And how do we make the most of that time?
