Author Archives: Writing Heights Writing Bug

Proper Care And Feeding of Your Inner Troll

By David E. Sharp The writing journey is a hazardous one, full of setbacks and self-doubt. I remember asking myself why I thought I had a story to tell. I felt like a fraud. The sight of my manuscript in progress would put me into a tailspin of criticism and despair. I wondered if AmazonContinue reading “Proper Care And Feeding of Your Inner Troll”

Spur Your Writing

By Shelley Widhalm As a freelance writer and former journalist, I’ve learned to live by deadlines. And as an anti-procrastinator, I’ve made it my habit to turn in assignments before the due date because facing a ticking clock stresses me out.  But when it comes to writing novels and not having a publisher demanding aContinue reading “Spur Your Writing”

Nothing Up My Sleeve

By Brian Kaufman Fantasy fiction employs magic—influencing events through supernatural means. The concept of magic dates back to the dawn of civilization. In Mesopotamia, ritual practices were developed to affect reality. Defensive magic was the accepted protection from demons and ghosts. Rites were used to purify a person’s sins. Another branch of magic involved loveContinue reading “Nothing Up My Sleeve”

Deadlines Made Me A Better Writer

By Katie Lewis School is back in session, the spell of Pumpkin Spice Latte is in the air, and many of us are gearing up for NaNoWriMo. As someone who thrives off of writing deadlines, the key is to plan ahead. Back in March, I talked about how I set myself a weekday writing goal.Continue reading “Deadlines Made Me A Better Writer”

NaNoWriMo: The Speed Writing Challenge

By Shelley Widhalm Every fall, do you start thinking about NaNoWriMo’s built-in goal and deadline as a Yea or a Nay? Like me, maybe you’re a veteran author who’s done it before, or possibly committing to writing 50,000 words during November is new to you. Divided up to a daily count, it is 1,667 words.Continue reading “NaNoWriMo: The Speed Writing Challenge”

ADVENTURES IN NaNoWriMo LAND

By Brian Kaufman In 1999, freelance writer Chris Baty started National Novel Writing Month, gathering 21 San Francisco participants to attempt a singular goal—to write a novel in one month. Having realized the limitations of a July event, Baty moved the second year’s festivities to November to “take advantage of the miserable weather.” The secondContinue reading “ADVENTURES IN NaNoWriMo LAND“

Developing A Formula

By Katie Lewis We’ve all become overly familiar with isolation in the last two years. While it’s undeniable that on a worldwide scale, the vast experience tended toward the negative, setting aside time to be alone remains an essential part of the creative process.  Many writers find the act of cloistering important to their creativeContinue reading “Developing A Formula”

Ode to The Writer’s Retreat

By Ronda Simmons There once was a writer with Block Who needed to stop and take stock. Her prose was a mess, Her nerves were in stress, She wanted to hide in a rock. She reread her draft with disgust. Her literary dreams dashed to dust.