Creativity

Ideas are Everywhere Ideas are Everywhere

Keeping your eyes and ears open are all that is required to garner amazing ideas. ... 

Images:  Calling the Muse Images: Calling the Muse

Dan is a recreational artist.  It is something he does to relax and create after... 

So Where Do Ideas and Plots Come From? So Where Do Ideas and Plots Come From?

How do you come up with compelling plots for fiction writing? The truth is, most... 

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Journaling

So Why a Paper Journal? So Why a Paper Journal?

Why do so many journal keepers, writers, and writing instructors insist you keep... 

Keep a Journal, Not a Diary Keep a Journal, Not a Diary

The term “journaling” can confuse people.  Different types of journals... 

Goofing Off…In My Journal Goofing Off…In My Journal

I don’t know if it is just me and my life…or if it fits for many of you,... 

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Writing

What is an Alpha or Beta Reader? What is an Alpha or Beta Reader?

Writers often pass their work on to people they trust for feedback and suggestions.  Stephen King and other experienced novelists have developed a system for revising and gaining feedback that works for them.  Each writer must develop his or her own process. While each writer or author will define the terms for themselves, here are some generally... [continue reading]

Details:  How Much Do You Know? Details: How Much Do You Know?

Historical writing requires research if you wish to maintain some level of accuracy.  Fantasy writing often takes place in a setting similar to medieval Europe, and the research you do can enhance the tidbits you give your readers.  Writing a piece set in any age in the past might require a little research.  Writing a piece set in the future is... [continue reading]

Settings:  The Big Picture Settings: The Big Picture

Continuing the series of using images to provide detail for your writing, we’ll look at settings today.  As a reminder, these are absolutely not necessary, but can be helpful in keeping things straight in your mind or providing those unconscious details that enrich your prose. Where do your characters hang out?  Do you have a good idea of their... [continue reading]

Character Art & Images Character Art & Images

At the very beginning of character creation, things are not always the same.  Sometimes I have a very good idea of what a character looks like.  Sometimes I don’t.  Often, I have an idea of their appearance, but might not know how they move.   A sense of height, color, arresting features…as if glimpsed from the corner of my eye…is... [continue reading]

Publishing:  Electronic Publishing Publishing: Electronic Publishing

Electronic publishers (EPubs) are companies who purchase manuscripts for electronic publishing formats. EPubs accept submissions the same way traditional publishing houses do. They work with authors on edits and revisions, create cover art, produce formats for various electronic readers and software, and market their books on line. They are in the... [continue reading]

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