September 7, 2011 – 22:13
I realized between this post and the last that I left out something extremely important when it comes to how not to write romance. I mentioned a few common tropes that drive me crazy. I didn’t go into any of the larger implications of certain types of “romance” or our responsibility as contributors to popular … Read more
Romances are defined as a lot of different things, all vaguely related to one another. A strong, sometimes short-lived fascination or enthusiasm for something. A mysterious quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful. An artistic work, such as a novel, story, or film, that deals with sexual love, especially in an … Read more
A pun is not a premise; it is a pun. A twist ending is not a premise. A punchline is not a premise unless your story is very, very short.
Premise, for all the things it is not, is difficult to define. It is not like characters, who are the people who walk around … Read more
“Writing is hard,” I complained.
“In what way?” Mom asked, her eyes on the flour she was dumping into a bowl.
“I don’t know what they should say!”
Dialogue has never, ever been my favorite. I like the pretty descriptions, the working things out in their head. It’s a weakness in my … Read more
It seems like titles should be a reward. After the long struggle of making a story that is acceptable to all eyes including your own, the title should be the cherry on top of the most magnificent ice cream sundae of all time.
Titling, however, often seems more difficult than finding a perfect magical … Read more
…is manuscript format. Every year.
Why manuscript format?
Because it makes things easier.
You can write in whatever format you want. Write in pencil at the end of your Algebra notebook, scribble in pen on receipts, write white-on-blue on the computer, dictate to a person or a program … Read more
It’s hard to know how to start this post. I could say that rejection is part of the publication process (which is true), or that it can make you a better writer (also true). But right now, if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you didn’t get into Alpha, and that it hurts … Read more
Everyone has a different process when it comes to writing. Some build the world first and bring characters in later, some build worlds around their characters, and still others simply write and attempt to capture their ideas before they disappear into the ether. At some point in all of these processes, three things can be … Read more
I’m twenty-four. It’s been two years now since I got diagnosed with type one diabetes – the kind that you can’t get better from, the kind that still doesn’t have a clear source. It took me completely off-guard. I retreated to my bookshelves, the way I’m sure many of us do when the world just … Read more
You wrote the story. You edited the story. You scrapped it. You rewrote it. You edited the story again. You asked friends for input, then ignored them. You continued editing. You cut, you cut, you cut. You asked friends for input and listened to them. You put it into proper manuscript format. You sent it … Read more
