Finding a good writing group since about 2015 has been a struggle. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. Like there was the time a drum corp decided to have a practice–indoors–in a library, during my weekly writing group meetups. And then there was the time I was practically begging for an honestContinue reading “No Males Allowed”
Tag Archives: writing tips
The 10 Most Important Lessons I’ve Learned in 17 Years of Writing
1. If you wrote yesterday, write again today. This is the mindset I’ve settled on over many years of hearing “write every day” so many times. It puts an emphasis on yesterday, which is of crucial importance: It makes you feel like you’re not writing today because you didn’t write yesterday. That puts the impetusContinue reading “The 10 Most Important Lessons I’ve Learned in 17 Years of Writing”
Often Misunderstood Writing Advice: “Resist the urge to edit your first draft.”
How many times have you heard authors advise you shouldn’t go back and edit while writing your first draft? For decades, I believed this was optional advice – Advice to help writers push forward if they were having trouble making progress. I figured it was just another piece of well-meant advice for writers to getContinue reading “Often Misunderstood Writing Advice: “Resist the urge to edit your first draft.””
Misunderstood Quotes from Famous Authors – “Write What You Know.”
One of the greatest things an author can do, especially a master of the craft, is pass on the information they’ve learned to the next generation of writers. Unfortunately, some of these famous and oft-quoted pearls of wisdom have suffered widespread misunderstanding. Queue the dreaded four words: “Write what you know.” The above is sometimesContinue reading “Misunderstood Quotes from Famous Authors – “Write What You Know.””
Time Capsule
Happy New Year, and I hope you’re having a merry twelve days of Christmas. My short story did officially appear on Iron Age Media’s website. (It cannot be voted on yet, but I will let you know when that day comes.) This is HUGE to me, to finally have a complete work featured somewhere otherContinue reading “Time Capsule”
Writers Can Overcome Their Insecurities
Every writer feels insecurities. The kind that make you feel sick to your stomach. I believe the miracle of overcoming those insecurities is what attracts fans. It’s why folks attach themselves to the creative journey of others. It’s why they’re willing to crack open your book. Releasing a piece of art into the world, despiteContinue reading “Writers Can Overcome Their Insecurities”
Beyond the Pyramid: Haecceity
We’ve talked about the Pyramid of Abstraction but there’s a much older, yet quite similar concept I’d love to introduce you to called “haecceity”. It’s a philosophical term used to describe the individual uniqueness of someone or something – the properties which make an entity distinct from all other entities. It’s what makes something “this”Continue reading “Beyond the Pyramid: Haecceity”
Beyond the Pyramid: The Fictive Dream
Did you know whenever you read fiction, you’re actually dreaming? Don’t believe me? The more realistic and interactive a dream feels, the more you want to stay in that dream, right? Isn’t it the worst when you wake up from a vivid dream that ended on a cliffhanger? You almost want to go back toContinue reading “Beyond the Pyramid: The Fictive Dream”
Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Final Level)
LEVEL FOUR If you wind up only reading The Basics, I’ve failed in my mission. Part of the problem with only knowing the information in the previous posts is it can be tricky to understand exactly where to apply the Pyramid of Abstraction to achieve the greatest effect. Have you done too much? Too little?Continue reading “Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (The Final Level)”
Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (Advanced Course)
Welcome back! Previously, we discussed perhaps the most invaluable tool I like to have close-at-hand whenever I’m writing: The Pyramid of Abstraction. But we only covered the basics. This is where things get interesting. The fourth level is by far my favorite use of this tool, where it goes from “Okay, this is pretty handy,”Continue reading “Understanding the Pyramid of Abstraction (Advanced Course)”
Nick Enlowe 