I read books for the same reason I eat the still-beating hearts of my enemies: to gain their power. -Dan WellsI love that quote. For writers there's so much truth in it. I've learned more about the craft of writing by doing, and reading, than I have by reading instruction manuals. There are some really good books on the craft of writing out there. One, Stephen King's "On Writing" (before reading the book you must realize that King is a pompous ass, and comes off as if his method is gospel.). For fantasy writers Orson Scott Card's "How To Write...
Monday, 24 January 2011
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Words for Writers: Dialog Exercises
Posted on 13:00 by Unknown
I enjoy a podcast called Writing Excuses. Week to week Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells offer valuable tips on the craft of writing. Each writer is proven and has seen success with each of their work. Brandon Sanderson is a New York Times best selling fantasy writer. After Robert Jordan passed away Jordan's widow Harriet asked Mr. Sanderson to complete "The Wheel of Time" series. Dan Wells is the author of the YA horror series about sociopath John Clever. I've read the first installment of the trilogy "I Am Not A Serial Killer."...
Monday, 17 January 2011
Words for Writers: Moments of Zing
Posted on 13:11 by Unknown
I have a file on my computer labeled Treasure Trove. The purpose of this file is for ideas that I don't want to use in stories, but may have some use for later. Every now and then I'll I look through the Treasure Trove to see if there's anything interesting I may have forgotten about. The Treasure Trove is like the island of Misfit Toys. These ideas don't want to be in there. They want to be used. They're just pieces that don't fit to any particular puzzle. Yet.Anyway, since about the first of January I've been working on a story idea, and towards...
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Words for Writers: Don't be Unique. Be Yourself.
Posted on 12:52 by Unknown
I think the most annoying piece of writing advice I've seen given by any writer is, "Be unique." Honestly, I don't know what they're trying to say. I think it's a pat answer.About once a week I have a moment where I feel a fair amount of suckage. That is to say I would like to rip my laptop out of the wall, and throw it through my office window. When I first started writing I went through an extended period of trying to be unique. I want to be a fantasy writer. The fantasy genre is full of tropes and cliches. I, however, was going to be different....
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Words for Writers: Write or Die
Posted on 14:34 by Unknown
I've been working on some back story for a current project, and started running out of steam. To relax my mind, and gather some thoughts, I thought I would write a post.This topic has been a prevalent one in the past week.If there's something that you love, that you dream of spending the rest of your life doing, you can find an untold number of reasons why not to accomplish that dream. Very often there doesn't seem to be as many reason why you should pursue the gold at the end of the rainbow. I mean, it's your dream, and dreams don't come true.Do...
Monday, 3 January 2011
Words for Readers: Read for Life
Posted on 13:03 by Unknown
Today I had planned on doing a blog aimed at writers, but on my way home from work I got an idea.I read many many blogs designated for writers. Some bloggers chronicle their journey of their writing experience. Others offer advice and input hoping to help someone else become better at their craft. I have no criticism for any of the blogs. I love them and check them all multiple times a day - I'm obsessive like that.Sadly, I haven't found as many blogs catering to readers.It may be because I haven't searched out such blogs. It doesn't really matter....
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