It’s the opening of a new year. So, let’s talk about openings. You want your home to have curb appeal and your front door to be inviting—to say Welcome! as it opens. (At least most of us do.) It’s the same with a piece of writing. The last thing you want to do is to put a roadblock, or an overstuffed couch, in the way. Openings are tricky—help your reader Poet Billy Collins says, “Usually I try to create a … Read More »

I’ve been a judge for a number of different writing contests for young writers and for adults. I’ve even been the prize in a mentorship contest. As a judge, however, each competition is different in what it will ask of you personally—how much time, thought, and perhaps even research you will have to put into it. Some contests are less organized than others. Some are very well organized, such as the Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA). Some require in-person, or … Read More »

It’s that time of year again, and if you’re like me you’re a last-minute shopper. Either that, or someone in your immediate gift-giving circle is desperately pleading with you for gift ideas. Do them a favor—print out this list and others from past holiday seasons on the FWA blog. Put your concerned gift-givers out of their misery. A short list of some favorites Duotrope At the top of my list is a gift subscription to Duotrope. This software indexes over … Read More »

I’ve been thinking about how one generates ideas for poems, stories, novels—or anything for that matter, like engineered new-fangled whatnots, or works of visual or auditory art. I suspect some of you are like me, wasting time thinking you don’t have an idea. And so, you don’t write or make other kinds of art. Last year I attended a program by Florida professor and poet David Kirby (FSU) hosted by the Florida State Poetry Association. During that session he talked … Read More »

Sit your chastushka down and raise the vodka in salute. Does that sound a little naughty? Well, it might. The chastushka is a short funny, ironic, or naughty Russian verse form, often on the same intellectual level as the limerick. If you’re quick on the draw and love working with silly rhymes, or satirical themes, the chastushka is for you. It can be a lot of fun. It’s a folk style that’s engendered many a rowdy competition—or friendly one. The … Read More »

As humans we read signals all the time. If someone flips us the finger, we know that person is angry. If someone throws their arms wide and does a little dance, we know that the person is happy about something. We communicate every day without words. Gestures reveal so much about a character, and about a situation. Reveal is the important term here—reveal/show. It speaks to that old writing adage “show, don’t tell.” When we see certain gestures by characters … Read More »