“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
Stop me if you've heard this before: "You must write every day!" I hear it every time I read an author interview, when I read a book on writing, or when watching a Youtube video featuring a prominent writing figure. No exceptions! You have to write at least a little bit every day. I'm trying… Continue reading Sucking (Writing) a Little Every Day
WARNING: THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL "UPROOTED." IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK AND WISH TO DO SO, DO NOT CONTINUE READING THIS POST. So after finally finishing Naomi Novik's excellent fantasy novel, Uprooted, I decided to do more research on her via her website. I was thrilled to discover… Continue reading My Thoughts On “Uprooted”By Naomi Novik Becoming a Movie
Description here. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it was recommended to me by a creative writing major at my university so I thought I'd give it a read. I am so glad that I did. This is, unquestionably, the best book I've ever read on writing. And, yes, that includes… Continue reading Thoughts on “Bird By Bird” by Anne Lamott
What is writing a second draft like? It's like going through a wonderful hike in the wilderness on a clear summer's day with friends, seeing spectacular sights and creating life-long memories..... And then remembering you left your backpack with all your expensive camping gear at the last rest stop, running all the way to get… Continue reading The Second Draft of Doom
So you've been writing for a while, but you aren't getting very far. You spin your wheels day after day, hoping soon it'll all come together. You know it's a good idea, you're just having a hard time getting it started. You think it's just another day. You sit at your desk, grab your pen,… Continue reading When Life Throws Off Your Writing Groove
According to the tour guide for the Edinburgh Ghost Tunnel Tour, J.K. Rowling came up with Voldemort's real name after visiting the Greyfriars Graveyard. So, naturally, a friend and I raced to Greyfriars Kirk on a quest to find the gentleman who would become a legend over a hundred years after his death. Unfortunately, finding… Continue reading The Hunt For Voldemort’s Grave in Greyfriars Cemetary
We spent a day in London, which basically means we spent a day in the London Underground. Our professors told us to dress in layers since it was predicted to rain quite a bit that day.... So there we were, wearing long-sleeve shirts and rain coats in 75 degree weather (23 degrees celsius) and thick… Continue reading Bookish Culture On the London Underground
As part of our study tour through the British Isles, my class took a bus across Northern Ireland. This was unquestionably one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Our guide told us Northern Ireland has inspired countless writers like C.S Lewis, the Brontës, etc, and I can easily see why. While riding in the… Continue reading A Nerd’s Adventure in Tollymore Forest
I was hesitant to write this because I know how tight a writer's budget can be, and I didn't want to make it sound like everyone has the same opportunities that I have been presented with. However, I feel strongly enough about it that I think I can give it a strong endorsement. Writers, travel.… Continue reading Writers Need To Travel
For the past few days, I've decided to use one of my hundreds of unused journals in leu of battling my internet addiction in an attempt to crank out a chapter or two. I believe the results speak for themselves. I started writing about three days ago and I'm halfway through with this journal. That's with… Continue reading Wherein a Writer Takes a Break From the Internet
The Crooked Pen 