Every writer wants something. Maybe it’s an extra hour in the day so you can be more productive. Maybe it’s an extra-special fountain pen or notebook. Maybe it’s having the cat stop chewing on the corners of your manuscript. We don’t ask for much, but when it comes right down to it, the only thing… Read more »
Every so often, it’s important to pause for a moment and take stock of where you’ve been and where you’re going. I like to do this around holiday time, particularly around Thanksgiving, because it reminds me of all the things I have to be thankful for… things I’ve overcome in my writing journey as well… Read more »
Writing can be hard sometimes, especially when our creative tank has run dry and we’re relying on fumes to reach our destination. The solution? Fill the tank. When it comes to creativity, one of the best ways to fill the tank is to have a little fun. Julia Cameron of The Artist’s Way fame, advocates… Read more »
Last week we started talking about creativity and ways to boost that part of your brain. This week, we’ll continue that conversation, focusing especially on ways to get over that writing hump. You know what I’m talking about. One minute you’re zipping along down the fast lane and then WHAM! You hit a speed bump… Read more »
The DIY MFA newsletter, Writer Fuel, can help power your ideas and the new workbook Jumper Cables (available to everyone who joins the DIY MFA mailing list) can help you jump-start your writing. But sometimes you need a place to store your ideas and stockpile inspiration to use when the fuel runs dry. That’s where… Read more »
Here’s a secret writing exercise I only recently learned: If you want characters to feel real for the reader, you have to hint they have the potential to be the opposite of what they appear. Wait, what? The opposite of what the character seems . . . wouldn’t that mean the character is acting out of character?… Read more »
The first step to creating your DIY MFA is to take stock of where you are right now. Some of you might be just starting out on your writing journey, while others may have been writing for years. Either way is fine. While some of you might have plenty of time to devote to this project, others… Read more »
DIY MFA is all about giving writers the tools and techniques to take their writing education into their own hands. This means each writer has the freedom to construct a learning plan that caters specifically to his or her needs and goals. There is a method to the madness, though, even with all this freedom…. Read more »
