“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
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
I have a plan, reader. For the first time in a long time, I've set up a writing goal for myself. I am forcing myself to finish the first draft of my novel by May 31. It's been a tiring struggle against doubt and writer's block. However, I've reasoned with myself that I must fight onward,… Continue reading I Made My Characters Steal a Horse: a Tale of Writer’s Block
Over the last few weeks, I've experienced the most inspiration I've had in ages. There was no climactic moment in my life that ignited this outpouring of expression. For whatever reason the spark just came like a surprise visit from your favorite uncle that you haven't seen in years. I resurrected a story I laid… Continue reading The Return of Doubt: a Writer’s Buzzkill
Recently, a friend of mine posed the question: What's the point of critiquing published works? It's already published so it's not like the author can rewrite it for a better review or something. Personally, I don't critique books that often unless the author is dead, or I have something positive to say about the novel.… Continue reading What’s the Point of Critiquing Published Books?
I'm notorious for jumping ship whenever a story becomes complicated. Friends ask me frequently how a story is going and my blood goes cold. "Oh," I think, "just imagine a sinking boat that suddenly catches fire only to be extinguished by a humpback whale, leaping from the water and crushing it into splinters with its… Continue reading Abandon Manuscript!: The Diary of a Quitter
WARNING: The following contains shenanigans. I don't like the term "people watching." There's something distinctly stalker-isque about it. I prefer to call it "spontaneous character building." When I'm sitting alone in a public place and I spot a person with a strange tattoo, haircut, or distinctive clothing, I'll make up a story about them. It's… Continue reading A Writer’s Guide To People Watching
Is it just me, or does it seem like writers are becoming progressively lazier and more patronizing when it comes to writing about moral or social issues? I'm not talking about works like The Hunger Games where the moral questions are woven into the plot. I'm talking about stories where the author randomly stands on… Continue reading Writers and the Soapbox Trope
Is there anything more horrifying than reading something you wrote years ago? ……Or two days ago? I’m pretty sure if a Boggart were to appear in front of me one dark and stormy night, it would take on the form of the manuscript I wrote in high school. It was your standard paranormal romance, only… Continue reading Re-reading Old Drafts
The professionals encourage amateur authors to write at least a little bit everyday. However, some days this is not possible. Unless you don’t need sleep and operate solely on the power of hopes and dreams. If I’ve had an idea marinating in my head for a long time, not being able to write it down… Continue reading Writing Withdrawal
The Crooked Pen 