by Stephanie Morrill | Jul 31, 2020 | The Craft of Writing, Writing Life
Yes, I’m still gone! Here’s another post from the archives for you: I have listened to a lot of different writing podcasts in the last month, trying to find new ones that I like as much as Writing Excuses and Helping Writers Become Authors....
by Jill Williamson | Jul 29, 2020 | Mailbag, World Building
Today’s GTW Mailbag question comes from Lydia: “I’m writing a trilogy that a disease/plague plays a major role in the story. Do you have any advice on how to make a disease/plague that sounds realistic enough to be in a dystopian novel?” I do have...
by Stephanie Morrill | Jul 27, 2020 | Creativity, Writing Life
I’m away for a couple of weeks, so I’ve pulled a few posts from the archives for you to enjoy in the meantime! I had never read Arthur books until McKenna started elementary school and brought them home from the library. When she pulled Arthur Writes A...
by Stephanie Morrill | Jul 24, 2020 | Writing
For Part 1, click here! Last time I was on here, I talked a bit about my journey to writing what I call “soul-deep” characters—characters that readers feel like they know inside out, who challenge them and with whom they can identify. We covered my first two tips for...
by Jill Williamson | Jul 22, 2020 | Author Life, Creativity, Encouragement, The Craft of Writing, Writing Life
I recently visited Mount Rushmore in South Dakota with my family. While there, we toured the sculptor’s studio, where Gutzon Borglum and his team of 400 artists worked when not on the mountain. It took Mr. Borglum and his team fourteen years to carve Mount...
by Stephanie Morrill | Jul 20, 2020 | Editing, Writing, Writing Life
I’m away for a few a few weeks, so I’m resurrecting a few posts from the archives. I hope you enjoy them! Also, for those doing the 100-for-100 writing challenge, today is day 50! Halfway there! Among the most confusing writing advice I’ve ever received is...
by Jill Williamson | Jul 17, 2020 | Characters, Guest Posts, Learning from Other Authors
Paul’s spinal cord was damaged in a car accident, so now he uses a wheelchair for mobility. Timothy has intermittent muscle spasms and weakness after the magical attack that nearly killed him. Alison’s acute synesthesia leads to panic attacks when her senses are...
by Jill Williamson | Jul 15, 2020 | Author Life, Encouragement
I am on vacation today, likely winding my way through a national park, gazing at trees. I thought I’d leave you all with some words of encouragement from some wise people. Some of these quotes have really made an impact on me. Which quote did you like best? Do...
by Stephanie Morrill | Jul 13, 2020 | Beginning Writer's Guide To Finishing A Novel, Editing, Theme
The word “theme” can still cause shivers because it calls up my memories of high school English when I had to identify elements like theme or symbolism in five paragraph essays. (The only thing worse was analyzing poetry.) Those essays always left me...
by Shannon Dittemore | Jul 10, 2020 | Author Life, Creativity, Encouragement, Getting Published, Writing, Writing Life
There’s a question I get asked a lot. The question can take many forms, of course: What’s your favorite part of writing a book? What do you love about this job? Why do you choose to do this to yourself? Lots of incarnations, but really, the same question....
