It’s bound to happen. The story you were so eager to write is going nowhere. Or it’s going in too many directions. It doesn’t make sense anymore and bears no resemblance whatsoever to that exciting, glittering tale your mind conjured up. What’s your next move? Tempting as it may be, DO NOT hit the delete button and relegate your writing to the cyber cemetery for all eternity! There are less drastic steps that will eliminate any regret down the road. … 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 »

When I was in high school, I missed a lot of questions on a lot of tests. But there’s one question I’ll never forget. It was pretty simple. The image displayed a slice of the earth’s interior, with a question: What is the name of the stuff in the middle? I thought of two answers. One was “the core of the earth,” because that IS the middle (and was the correct answer). But I tried to outsmart the question, and … Read More »

Writers are dedicated, committed, sometimes obsessed individuals. Their creativity seldom gives them a moment’s peace. Some writers work on multiple projects simultaneously, which amps up the pressure to create even more and leaves little, if any, time to just chill a little. So, how does a writer take a break without feeling like they’ve abandoned their work, impatient characters, and unresolved plot? Even if writers can’t completely disconnect, let’s explore some temporary solutions. A Related Break Set your work aside … Read More »

Writers are pretty much a solitary, dedicated lot, listening to their characters and investing countless hours telling their story. Amidst that fierce determination is the stark realization that writers cannot work non-stop—it may even prove to be counter-productive. So, when is the best time to take a break, and should those breaks be totally unrelated to the craft of writing? Let’s explore some ideas about taking breaks and how they can help a writer become even more productive when they … Read More »

Sometimes writing is easy, when you feel deeply impassioned about a subject and know just how to say it. The words flow.  I think it was Truman Capote who said something like:  “I’ve always been able to throw words up in the air and have them come down in the right order.” Sometimes we can do that, too. When you’ve emptied the passion bucket, maybe all you have to do is tweak a sentence or two, choose a better word … Read More »