By Laura Mahal Originally posted October 3, 2019 The 2019 NCW anthology—Rise!—was recently released. Within its covers, readers will find pieces of incredible depth and beauty, with themes of resilience, adaptation, and the relationships that bring us grief, joy, and wisdom. Change is an ever-present force in our lives. Whether we rage against it orContinue reading “Embracing Change”
Category Archives: Advice
Getting The Juices Flowing
By David E. Sharp Originally posted September 26, 2019 Writers have an endless list of strategies for jogging their creativity and stretching their imaginations. Writing prompts, character development exercises, free-flow sessions, and the like are all great. But I also like to step away from the desk and sharpen my creative skills in another way.
Warming Up
By Ronda Simmons Originally posted September 19, 2019 Professional football players warm-up before every game or practice. So do rock climbers, Little Leaguers, dancers and anyone else whose work or art is physical. Increasing heart rates improves your circulation. Stronger blood flow delivers more oxygen to the brain and body and gets the fluids movingContinue reading “Warming Up”
The Book You Were Meant to Write
By Brian Kaufman Originally posted September 12, 2019 Perhaps you just finished work on a successful project and wonder what sort of book can match the emotional impact of the one you just finished. Or maybe you are amid fielding rejections and wonder if you’re writing in the wrong genre. There are variations of theContinue reading “The Book You Were Meant to Write”
Tropes Nopes
By Ronda Simmons Originally posted August 21, 2019 A trope, according to Miriam-Webster, is “a common or overused theme or device.” In movies and literature, examples include: · the ugly duckling turns into a beauty queen · the commoner inherits the crown · the dead bad guy isn’t dead after all · the race toContinue reading “Tropes Nopes”
We Are GODS: World Building
By Ronda Simmons originally published July 16, 2019 Never one to pass up a bargain, I recently attended a free class taught by Trai Cartwright at the Old Town Library on World Building. I don’t write science fiction or fantasy, but since Trai was teaching, I decided to go because a) Trai is hilarious, b) she’s alsoContinue reading “We Are GODS: World Building”
The Writing Metaphor
By JC Lynne Originally posted July 2019 Metaphors are a writer’s tool of the trade. We try to create more profound clarity for our readers and open their eyes to our point of view. They can elevate our writing to soaring heights or anchor our words along with Prometheus. Nothing delights writers like a metaphorContinue reading “The Writing Metaphor”
The Art of Persistence: Or How to Love The Re-write
By Ronda Simmons Originally Posted June 2019 I have a virtual sticky note on the monitor in my office. It’s a quote from Stephen King: Talent is a wonderful thing, but it won’t carry a quitter. More than anything lately, it’s what keeps me writing. I recently sent off my latest screenplay for a professionalContinue reading “The Art of Persistence: Or How to Love The Re-write”
Dare to Discover
By Laura Mahal Originally posted June 2019 Summer is the time to explore new places, correct? If you are like me, children’s sports schedules usually dictate where our family goes on vacation. Though there was the one time that I had a piece accepted by an anthology based in Ireland, and I simply had toContinue reading “Dare to Discover”
Start Simple
By Brian Kaufman Originally posted May 2019 Back in the 70s, I played guitar in a couple metal bands. I had fun, but I wasn’t any good. These days, I’m trying to teach myself to play blues guitar again (a goal that aligns with my latest writing project). The 45-year layoff taught me two things.Continue reading “Start Simple”
