As writers, we hear again and again how important voice is in our work, particularly when shopping a piece or querying agents. But “voice” itself, especially if you are just starting out, can be a tricky thing to define in unequivocal, technical terms. What is this slippery, nebulous, yet powerful creature? What are its component… Read more »
We all have those days when our best intentions and dedication to our writing get derailed. We oversleep, feel sick, have to get the trash out, and the cat throws up in the middle of everything, and the dog gets out and barks at a deer and our writing time gets spent corralling him back… Read more »
It’s summmmeeerrrrtiiiiiiiiiimmmmmeeeee and reading is breeeeezy. I live in Pittsburgh and we are well into the dog days of summer. My paperbacks are acquiring the smell of sunscreen, chlorine, and just a hint of BBQ smoke. Summer reading is going well and I am finding myself replacing “just another episode” with “just a few more… Read more »
Though it may not look like it on the surface, a strong premise is key to nearly every stage of the writing process. Your novel’s premise will be there to keep you on track as you write, help you honor your original inspiration while editing, and even find your ideal readers when it comes time… Read more »
Writer’s block happens to every writer at some point. Creativity slows down. Your words feel like they’re stuck to your insides. If you’ve never experienced that bone-dry-whistling-wind-through-a ghost-town desiccated feeling of writer’s block, just wait. We talk about getting back into the “flow,” feeling like an idea dries up, sometimes that creativity rushes and overwhelms,… Read more »
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Michele Scott. We’ll be talking about cozy mysteries and her book Murder Uncorked. Have you signed up to be a DIY MFA Radio Insider yet? This is an exciting new monthly newsletter, especially for our podcast listeners. Every month, you’ll get an email from our podcast producer with… Read more »
Everyone should play around with poetry. Period. Your hairdresser. The mail delivery person. The landscaper, the hummingbird feeder refill person. The person who diligently washes, folds and presses your socks. And, for sure, writers should play around with poetry. I’m talking to you, non-fiction writers. I’m talking to you, business and copywriter, you life coaches… Read more »
If you want to sell your book and engage your readers, you need to write a first chapter that sets up distinct expectations for the reader, like what the story will be about, the type of genre it is, and the quality of your writing. One way you can learn how to write a great… Read more »
Here it is, the second installment of my Sherlockiana column. (Be sure to check out The Not-So-Elementary Universe of Sherlock Holmes, Part 1) This one is a wilder ride than the last, including a warlock, a group of crime-fighting female monsters, and Holmes and Watson teaming up with Freud. Once again, I have rated them… Read more »
I’ve always been a lover of inspirational sayings; through the years I’ve collected a wide variety of these words of encouragement to bolster my sometimes flagging attitude. One of my favorites is attributed to the 30th President of the U.S., Calvin Coolidge. The gist of it is that nothing in the world can take the… Read more »
