Big Window. Workshop. Holly Lisle's Vision Holly Lisle's Workshop By Holly Lisle © 2002, By Holly Lisle Your short story or novel has not been going well, or maybe you've even finished it but now discover that you hate it. At the moment of your greatest frustration, you conceive a delicious plan -- you'll print it out in triplicate and feed each copy into a fire one hated page at a time. If this is your situation, you have my sympathy: I recently tanked 283 pages of a novel that was going to all the wrong places, and even with a brutal deadline hanging over my head, I've never been so happy to see something go. Big question, though? Maybe. Let's take a look at what you want to cook and see if there's anything in it worth saving. 1. Can you write down, right now, in ten words or less, the theme? 2. Can you sit down immediately and write one sentence that sums up the story?
3. 4. 5. Can you write out, quickly and clearly, why this story matters, and to whom it matters? 6. All right -- that's the whole thing. Workshop. Workshop: By Lazette Gifford© 2004, Lazette Gifford Once upon a time you wrote a story you truly loved. It was the first plot that kept you awake at night or stole away your thoughts when you should have been working on other things.
The story haunted you and it might even have been the reason you took up writing for the very first time. And so you wrote it... But for whatever reasons, it did not reach the potential that it could have reached. First there is a major fallacy that many writers -- even writers who have been working at it for a while -- need to get out of their system. But should she try to rework it now?
What To Save There are several levels at which you can save an older story. These are just quick guidelines, and how you actually apply them will depend on your methods and the work itself. 1. This is really just writing a new story. 2. Did those characters live in your head until you could hear them speak, see them smirk, and understand their fears? 3. 4. 5. 6. Workshop. By Lazette Gifford © 2007, Lazette Gifford Sometimes one of the hardest parts of writing is getting essential information into the story without resorting to 'As you know, Bob' references (where one character tells another something the other character already knows) or creating info dumps of data (text-book like explanations of something from your story).
Working essential information into a story is an art form all its own -- and being able to tell what is, and what isn't needed, takes practice. Often, the problem arises when an author becomes too involved in the background research on a subject related to his current novel, and in the joy of learning something interesting, forgets that the reader hasn't picked up a fiction book about a man and woman trapped in a cabin in the Rockies with the intention of learning the minute details of how a snow storm forms. The trick is to introduce information in ways that add layers of detail without boring the reader. Hot weather Mr. & Mrs. WHAT IS THE WORD? THE BEST WRITING EXERCISE EVER - Janet Fitch' The Journaling Life: 21 Types of Journals You Can Create to Expr. Writing Prompts.
The Write Prompts. The month of April is dedicated to National Poetry Reading in the United States and Canada. While it is meant to encourage reading of poetry there is no reason not to turn it into a poetry writing month. If you don't normally write poetry take the plunge and do some this month. Even bad poetry writing is a good exercise. For the month of April, every day read a poem of your choice then write a responding poem either in the same form or a form of your choosing. If you don't have any poetry books to draw from, a quick "poetry" search will offer a plethora of choices. If you want something that requires a little less searching on your part then sign up for a daily podcast of Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac. To get you started here is a favorite poem to get your started: Song of Enchantment by Walter De La Mare A Song of Enchantment I sang me there, In a green -- green wood, by waters fair, Just as the words came up to me I sang it under the wildwood tree.
The Writing Challenge Options: Journals Help and Information. Top 3 Android Dirary APPS Smartphones are now the norm for those who journal. Below are three top ‘FREE’ Android APPS that you can find on the Google Play Store . . . check them out! Instagram 'Instant' Journal I now call Instagram the worlds instant journal. But in the truest sense of the word, it is only a substitute for a journal.
Journaling draws one into personal and private reflection, while Instagram draws one into exhibition not private reflection. Father's Day Is Upon Us Enjoy your time with you dad. Every Day is Mother's Day Journal My hopes for all of you were for a great Mother’s Day. Calendar Journals A calendar journal is an unique project that makes a great gift for your special friend or a friend having trouble beginning to journal. Easter Devotional Prompts This week instead of the normal journal prompts you will find journal devotions.
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