This occurred to me only recently, but it is too true: If you have to use "if" to qualify something, it's probably bad. IF gets used to cover up an insult or negative feedback instead of just having the spine to stand up to your own comment. Look at these examples: If this had more… Continue reading Manners: Is “if” a bad word?
Category: Writing
Humor: I am not a pizza place
I don't know how this happens, but it is frequent enough that I know it does. The worst I had was a debt collector who just would not believe I wasn't "Simon." Pretty sure my voice is not that deep... Someone dials the wrong number and just does not believe the person answering is NOT… Continue reading Humor: I am not a pizza place
Writing: A Character’s Voice
I have a character talking to me in my brain and I can't replicate his voice on paper. It is the most frustrating thing. I know what he sounds like and looks like and feels like in my head, but somehow when I put my fingers to keys I can't replicate it. I feel like a… Continue reading Writing: A Character’s Voice
Character Profile: The successful sidekick
I love and hate writing "side-kicks." These are the secondary characters who are useful and/or required for success in a novel. I love them because they give me a place to explore depths my protagonist doesn't have or a sounding board for my protagonist to discuss aspects of the novel. I hate them because I struggle… Continue reading Character Profile: The successful sidekick
Writing: Plots and Twists, Oh my!
What should I do when I have 3 possible endings/sequels?
Writing: Story Ideas
I haven't been doing NaNoWriMo this year. It's upsetting on some levels, but I just couldn't balance Moving-Into-House Nov 1st (which was really like the whole first week, let's be honest), Election-Grief (and yes, I've got all stages of grief for my country still), Georgia burning down (seriously: click here to see pictures of the smoke… Continue reading Writing: Story Ideas
Memories: Nightmares
Most people I know (as adults) never admit to nightmares. Or at least not regularly. I do. In the litany of options for "why didn't I sleep well last night" I have two: breathing and brain. The breathing one is obvious and there are options for treatment that make sense (better living through chemistry as… Continue reading Memories: Nightmares
Writing: Confronting Fear
Something a lot of young authors do (myself included) is the "Mary Sue/Marty Stu" difficulty. Another common problem is the "perfect response." Flaws are important, but even more important is what a character does when they confront that fear. This is something I am trying to incorporate more in my own writing: the response. This… Continue reading Writing: Confronting Fear
Writing: I’m mad at me
I sometimes write in circles. No, not literally. I sometimes circle back around to something I wrote ages ago (I have this box that is all hand-written stuff from high school. It's a little gross actually...). The worst part: when I didn't finish the story. This isn't uncommon (I know- "bad writer"!). I know I… Continue reading Writing: I’m mad at me
Writing: Tributes & Titles
History is full of ranks and titles. With those ranks came specific honorifics (tribute) which people gave to denote their respect to that rank. Emperor King Duke Marquee Admiral Commander Lord Honorable Grace Liege When writing historical fiction, I think it's important to keep titles accurate. Why would anyone ever call a king "my lord"? Is… Continue reading Writing: Tributes & Titles
Dream by Day 