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RIP, Kurt
2007-04-12 15:30:00
Kurt Vonnegut dies at 84Way back when, he was the first author that when I read one book, I bought his whole backlist. What authors had a huge impact on you?
More About: Writing , Motivation , Kurt

Organizing the writing life
2007-04-10 20:52:00
Kristin over at Write Now Is Good has special guest blogger Sharon Sarmiento, an organization guru.Sharon answered my question on how to organize a writer's desk on April 3 - click here.Today's post is on how to maximize time and juggle multiple projects - click here.Sharon's blog is here.What's your biggest organizational challenge?Oh, and my April Fool Update:
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Foolin' around
2007-04-03 14:50:00
I'm an April Fool. April Fools is a writing challenge not unlike NaNoWriMo except that you set your own goal. Mine's 15,000 words for the month of April. 500 words a day, and I'm behind already. LOLJust finished reading Gods In Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. It's a gem. Joshilyn has a fresh voice and the story line is unique and engrossing. She has a way of making the reader root for a vulnerable character. I'm so glad her next book is out, Between, Georgia, because I crave to read more from her. I read an exerpt of the first chapter and it looks great too.Desert Rat made a good point in the comments of my last post. Time to start focusing on reasons to write, not excuses not to. Thx DR.Have you read any great books lately?
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Friday's Excuse Not To Write
2007-03-30 17:35:00
Reprinted with permission from 101 Excuse s Not to Write .Oh, and the other excuse is spending time with my convalescing kitty (who's coming around remarkably)! Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts, my friends!
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Happiest Woman Alive
2007-03-26 15:50:00
Those who know me know how much my pets mean to me. Well, I apologize for not being around much this past while, but my kitty, Cairo, has been very sick. In fact, I thought I was going to have to put him down this morning, but he showed signs of improvement over the weekend, so he's coming home.Long story short, we thought his liver failed because he was unable to metabolize the drugs he had for an operation for bladder stones. He showed no sign of improvement last week so the vet and I decided to just wait out the weekend and see. One of the technicians at the clinic actually took him home to watch him (way above and beyond the call of duty, I might add). So, when the call came this morning, I said to the vet, "Please tell me you have good news.""I do," he said.I am so happy. Welcome home, Cairo.Thank you to everyone at the Morningside Animal Clinic.
More About: Live , Woman , Oman , Pies , Alive

I, uh, write fiction
2007-03-15 19:49:00
Rene had an interesting post about her secret identity—being a writer—the other day. She came up with some good reasons why writers might avoid telling people about their writing. At the same time, she understands why people might not take her writing seriously, “because they have no idea how important it is to me.” She says, “I can't expect people to appreciate my being a writer until I appreciate it myself.”I suppose I’m lucky in that I write for a living, so I have no issue with calling myself a writer. However, I do hold back about my fiction writing except to those closest to me. I remember how I hated telling people I was a waitress back in the days. I’d tell them I was in “public service.” So, when the opportunity came up to call myself anything but, I took it. Now I’m working on the novelist part.Chrys, in her post ‘Own It,’ talks about how calling herself a writer was a freeing experience. She says, “You ARE a writer. Don't dismiss it. Don't s...
More About: Fiction , Write

Well hello Lajos
2007-03-09 19:38:00
Perhaps I live in a vacuum but, I, writing article addict, had not heard of Lajos Egri before yesterday. I stumbled across Notes on Lajos Egri’s Art of Creative Writing on Dark Cloud Press' website. Incredible.Egri has some fundamental beliefs about creative writing which include:"Every type of creative writing depends on the credibility of a character. Whatever a character does or says, he does or says for only two reasons:1. To create sympathy for himself.2. To show how important he is."Every story needs a premise. "The premise is the seed from which the story grows. It is a thumbnail synopsis of the story you want to write.""Desire is a mild word for the strongest motivation there is. Self-preservation is the second.""Insecurity is the basic law of existence. All human emotions, good or evil, without exception, spring from this one eternal source.""To create an original story, pick one individual with and outstanding trait. This person may embody all other virtues in existence...
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Sabotage and subterfuge
2007-03-05 19:55:00
I often despair about having no time to write, but I know it’s all a state of mind. I’m definitely one of those who enjoy “having written.” One form of procrastination I partake in is taking on new projects such as freelance writing assignments and joining committees at my local United Way. I get so excited about them and they’re fun and satisfying, but they end up taking away the precious personal time I should be dedicating to my passion of writing fiction. I’m just a dichotomy of commitment and over-extension. The commitment side is the protagonist who loves writing and works hard towards hopefully being a published novelist one day. Then there’s the other side, the antagonist cajoling me, “You can do it. Take on more. Say yes.” He always makes me feel like I can do it all. Well, I finally put my foot down. I’ve resigned from the UW and my most recent freelancing project. It was hard and I felt guilty, but it’s time for me to learn to say no and pay a...
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"a masterpiece of organized chaos"
2007-02-28 14:42:00
You think you're a plotter?Check out Will Self's office - click here. (Then click on photo to see next photo.)Warning: these photos are intended for mature writers only.
More About: Organize , Master , Chaos , Masterpiece , Piece

Friday's Excuse Not To Write
2007-02-23 22:41:00
Reprinted with permission from 101 Excuse s Not to Write .What do you do to keep yourself motivated with your writing?
More About: Friday , Frida

On using dialogue
2007-02-21 19:44:00
As a follow-up to my post about dialogue tags, I thought I would offer some links on how to write dialogue. What I found interesting in my research is that what characters say is important, but so is what they don't say. In addition, body language is a very important part of communication -- which lends itself well to avoiding the use of tags.When writing dialogue, remember this:Studies have shown that, in a face-to-face interaction, 58 percent of communication is through body language, 35 percent through how it was said, and a mere seven percent through the content of the message. In addition, how well do your characters listen? Do they always understand the true meaning behind what's being said? Dial og ue, and the interaction that surrounds it, can be a great tool to show your character's goals and characteristics as well as a tool to help you manipulate your story.Here are some links:Holly Lisle's Dialogue WorkshopDialogue TipsSpecial Tips On Dialogue For The Romance WriterHow...
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Romance Novel TV
2007-02-20 15:14:00
Okay, this is just too much fun.Roma nce Novel TV
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Inner Conflict
2007-01-18 19:02:00
So, I’ve done some research to try and understand the concept of inner conflict a little better. My main issue was whether or not you could – or should – have inner conflict independently of external conflict. It seems the two are more intertwined than I thought. Which, BTW, will make writing a little easier for me.The Ottawa-Carlton District School Board English 4U Student Handbook says, “Inner conflict refers to emotional or analytical struggles a character has due to his values, his role in society, or the company he finds himself with. For example, Willy Loman cannot emotionally ignore his failure as a breadwinner, failure as a faithful husband, and his failure to bring up decent sons.”Redchurch says, “The best advice I've read says that where you can, try to link the inner conflict with the external and interpersonal conflicts.” He also says, “Someone being forced to compromise their values of honesty is an inner conflict. But, it is externalized if they are fo...
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Need laughter or motivation?
2006-11-20 18:56:00
For those wrimos who need a laugh or a little bit of motivation, I encourage you to listen to the follow Writers on Writing interview with Chris Baty (author of No Plot? No Problem and founder of NaNoWriMo).It's a double interview, with Baty following Literary agent Betsy Amster.
More About: Motivation , Laughter , Need , Motiva , Laugh

NaNoWriMo Tools & Tips
2006-10-25 15:44:00
For those of you participating in the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year, I’ve compiled a list of tools and tips to help you get started and keep you going along the way.Nano wrimo Podcast 2006 – back by popular demandCharacter Questionnaires - Get to Know Your CharactersSteve's Columns – lot’s of motivational stuffFeaths Bookcase: Writers resources, random generators, progress bars – fun!The Writer's Software Companion – just in case you get lonelyThe Scriptorium - writer's toolbox – for the writer who has everythingLanguage Is A Virus – NaNoWriMo tools & toys – for the writer who has more than everythingHow to "win" National Novel Writing Month in 5 (no, 6) easy steps – courtesy of Write Now Is GoodNational Novel Finishing Month – what to do with your manuscript after November 30NaNoFiMo Resources PageWhat are you doing to prepare for NaNoWriMo 2006?
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Snow & NaNoWriMo
2006-10-13 17:06:03
Happy Friday all! My condolences to those of you living in the Buffalo area. But hey, maybe if you?re home for a snow day you?ll be able to get some writing done! Although I suppose it will have to be with pen and paper with no power! Eric has a great pre-NaNoWriMo post over at Quantum Storytelling: ?Cooking Up Some Creative Constraints.? Angela Booth also has some NaNoWriMo QuickStart posts to help participants get ready. Check ?em out here. I have entered NaNoWriMo this year ? my first time. My user name is Nienke. Who else is going for it this year?
More About: Snow , Nano

Author Interview: Colin Harvey
2006-09-26 15:18:06
Colin Harvey Colin Harvey is the author of Lightning Days (Swimming Kangaroo Books, 2006) and Vengeance (The Winterborn Press, 2005). He is a member of the Horror Writers Assosciation, and reviews for Strange Horizons on a regular basis. Colin is a member of the Management Committee of the Speculative Literature Foundation, and for the last two years has been one of the judges for their
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How to write a novel
2006-09-07 19:15:29
Justine Larbalestier has an excellent post on how to write a novel. Go check it out.
More About: How To , Write , Novel

Using Psychology to Create Characters
2006-08-29 18:27:02
Okay, finally on to my characterization ideas. As most readers probably know, I love searching the internet for ways to improve my writing ? in fact, it?s more like an addiction. In any case, I came across some interesting ways to help develop characters. We all know that it takes some understanding of human psychology to create believable characters. That said, I know I don?t have the time to
More About: Psycho , Characters , Psychology , Character , Sing

Big Deadline
2006-08-29 18:27:02
Big deadline at work. Will be back tomorrow or Saturday to discuss my character development idea. To keep you occupied while you eagerly await my next post, here are some fun things to do and read:Robotube GamesFish TalesVarious Flash GamesVarious Java GamesEverything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully - in Ten Minutes, by Stephen KingFiction Workshop for One"It took me fifteen years to
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Do not press the red button
2006-08-25 18:18:03
Get more games like this at ArcadeZip!
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Around the web in 90 seconds...
2006-08-17 18:06:02
I can?t wait for the Hotlanters to start posting about the RWA National Conference. In the meantime, a few interesting blogs to check out:John Baker has been asking ?Five Questions? to all kinds of bloggers about why they blog. Some very interesting answers. Many writerly types.Paperback Writer has an interesting post called Extending Your Writing Range. She writes about the journey to becoming a writer and a ?novel recipe.? Anne Frasier asks if writers are broken.Tamara Siler Jones has a great dialogue going on about perfectionism, fear, and being good enough over at tamboblog.  See posts from July 27 to 29. Amy Durham at tappity tap talks about the worst writing advice she?s ever heard. She also asks readers to share their own worst advice. Melly at All Kinds of Writing traveled to her hometown in Northern Israel a few weeks ago and has been keeping us posted on what?s happening and how she feels. From reading her posts, I?ve developed a whole new perception and understa...
More About: The Web , Second , Econ , Round , Seconds

Quote of the day
2006-08-17 18:06:02
There are three rules for writing a novel.Unfortunately no one knows what they are.~ Somerset Maugham Courtesy of Jen Holling at The Working Writer .
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Podcast addict
2006-08-17 18:06:02
Not long ago, someone memed me, and one of the questions was, what six things would you take out of your home if it was on fire. Well, one of my answers was my iPod . I love my iPod Nano. Only, I don?t have one song on it. There is room for four days worth of songs but, instead, I have it filled with podcasts. I am addicted to podcasts, especially ones about writing, authors, and books. Surprisingly, there are not very many podcasts on the subject of writing. There are a few, however, that offer author interviews and the authors often talk about their methods. I have made a list of podcasts on writing or books that I?m aware of in my sidebar. If you know of any that are not on my list but should be included, please email me at nienke DOT hinton AT gmail.com. My favorites include: Writers On Writing - Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, author of pen on fire ? the busy woman?s guide to igniting the writer within, interviews various writers. Recent guests include Janet Fitch, author of White...
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Sleeping Pose
2006-08-17 18:06:02
Thanks to Pearl over at Humanyms. Find your own pose!
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Plotter or Pantser?
2006-08-15 18:00:00
Louise Doughty, author of the London Telegraph column, A Novel in a Year, says, “It is easy to believe that there is some holy mystery to plotting or structuring a novel but, at its most basic level, it is no more than a matter of you as a novelist deciding that this will happen, then this, then that… and if it doesn't work, you will change it.” The ongoing debate is whether plotting is something worth doing before your write or as you write—otherwise known as plotting vs. pantsing.Plot ters are writers who like to write with a detailed outline. Pants ers like to write by the seat of their pants, sans outline. There is no right or wrong way to write, and new writers need to discover what works best for them. Personally, as a first time novelist (and virgo), I like to work with a very, very detailed outline. In fact, I am currently working with Karen Wiesner’s First Draft In 30 Days. This book develops an outline to the point where it can be considered the first draft. I als...
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A few good links
2006-08-03 20:50:00
Just some items I’ve found whilst surfing that I thought might be of interest to my fellow writers:Carolyn Jewel's Writing Workshop - What I Learned the Hard Way(courtesy of Lady Tess)Tests of document readability and suggestions how to improve readabilityRed River Romance WritersPeder Hill’s Learn the Elements of a NovelWriting Information – List of ArticlesWriters on Writing Broadcasts from 2000- the thoughts of twenty-one established writers. They share their hard worn experiences, explain aspects of the craft, and reflect on the wisdom gained from success and failure.Writers on Writing presents an in depth study of the craft of writing from the inside. Our selection of writers impart their experiences based on five key learning areas: the spark of idea;the grind of writing;creating characters;shaping and balancing narrative; and the ups and downs. Writers include: Cristopher Koch, Dorothy Dunnett, Roger McDonald, Tom Petsinis, Eva Sallis, Janet Evanovich, Venero Armano, A...
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Friday's Excuse Not To Write
2006-07-15 02:37:00
Reprinted with permission from 101 Excuse s Not to Write .I have discovered a great way to help develop characters. I will share sometime this weekend. In the meantime, have a great one. It's going to be hot and smeltering here in Toronto!
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Goals & Dreams
2006-07-05 16:47:00
Moira Allen talks about setting effective writing goals. She suggests that since writing is an unstructured working environment, a good way to be productive is to set goals.However, since we’re all different in what we want, time we have, and dedication to our craft, Allen says, “To be effective, goals should meet three criteria: They should be measurable, meaningful, and attainable.”She also points out that goals are separate from dreams.“Goa ls, by the way, are not the same as dreams. While you may yearn to become a six-figure novelist who regularly guests on Oprah, that's not a goal. It's a dream -- and the only way you'll achieve that dream is by setting measurable goals that will take you toward that dream, one step at a time.”One of the changes I’ve made lately is to stop obsessing over word count. You’ll notice I’ve taken my word meter off the sidebar. Instead of worrying about word count, my goals consist of time spent on my writing. Publication may be my d...
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Friday's Excuse Not To Write
2006-06-02 22:16:00
Reprinted with permission from 101 Excuse s Not to Write .Oh, and happy 40th to my hubby!!
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