America is a nation of immigrants, and theme of being an “outsider” is a common one in our literature. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about five great American novels that feature male protagonists. This week, I’ll be doing the same with books that feature female protagonists. This is just the tip of the iceberg,… Read more »
Hello and thank you for joining me today! In this episode we’re going to talk about how to find your voice as a writer. This is an important topic, but one that’s often difficult to discuss because voice can be so elusive. But before I dive in, I want to give a shout-out Leanne and say thanks… Read more »
Stories often feature characters who share traits or functions but use them in opposite ways. Think about Frodo Baggins and Gollum, Harry Potter and Voldemort, or Marianne and Elinor Dashwood. The characters in each pair reflect one another’s similarities while contrasting their differences in approaching those similarities. These pairs are known as “mirror characters” –… Read more »
Do you know a tween or young teen who has moved on from Harry Potter but isn’t ready for Hunger Games? Loved Inkheart but found Twilight too heavy on the sappy romance? Have I got the list for you! From under-aged criminals to giant cockroaches, there are some attention-grabbing books available! Here are five fantasy/science fiction… Read more »
Hello and thank you for joining me today! This episode, the DIY MFA Writing Conference Survival Guide, is all about writing conferences! I absolutely love conferences and all the benefits you can gain from attending them. In fact, if I were to point to one thing that has helped boost my career as a writer, it… Read more »
When looking for a writers group there isn’t always one to find, or if you find one, it isn’t always the right one for you. Here’s a happy-ending tale of a writer who transformed a dying group into a supportive family. Meet Richenda Gould, the leader of the Princeton Writers Group (PWG). “I knew that… Read more »
Hi there! Thanks for joining me today. Before we dive into this episode, I wanted to remind you to head over and check out DIYMFA.com. And while you’re at it, sign up for our almost-weekly newsletter. You’ll get insider access to a treasure trove of tips, techniques, and insights from yours truly! Today’s episode is… Read more »
Marketing is every bit of contact your company has with the outside world. Every bit. – From Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Levinson Why does the term “marketing people” evoke such dread? In some circles it might even be considered an oxymoron. But I say that the trepidation around marketing and marketing volk comes from a… Read more »
I had never even heard of steampunk before I got a job at a Victorian Fair one summer. The woman leading the orientation asked us for examples of “Victorian-themed” movies that we could use for inspiration. Someone suggested a Sherlock Holmes movie and she said, “No, that’s more steampunk.” My mind snapped to attention and… Read more »
Hello and welcome to another episode of DIY MFA Radio! Today is an extra special episode because I’ll be interviewing a fabulous author and my good friend: Kathryn Holmes. We’re going to be talking about how to create a setting that feels real to the reader, a subject you’ll find she knows a lot about. Kathryn Holmes… Read more »
