Category: Writing

If your story is a precious jewel, then the title and image are the beautiful wrapping paper and carefully tied ribbon containing your literary gift!  Most magazines and online publications now ask for images to accompany stories, and of course every story has a title.  You should probably give at least as much time to […]

Writer as Detective – Strong Verbs Containing Clues A good writer is much like a detective, searching for just the right word.  Strong verbs describe much more than just the immediate action. They can also help unearth motive, character development, back story, and more.  Choose your verbs wisely and get the best bang for your […]

Writing Dilemma – Using Verbs – To Be or Not To Be The “to be” verbs are among the least active in the English language. Should we use them, or eliminate them all, replacing them with more vibrant active verbs? How about a happy medium – replace those that need more action, keep those that […]

Show, Don’t Tell – Invite the Reader Into Your Writing “Show, Don’t Tell” is some of the best advice ever given to writers.  In fact, it might be considered one of the Golden Rules of writing. Don’t tell your readers what to feel, how to react, what to think. Paint a picture with your carefully […]

The Writer’s Canvas – Painting Word Pictures with Nouns If you want to keep readers turning the pages, engage their five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste.  Learn about concrete and abstract nouns for your writing practice, and watch your writing come alive! The word “noun” comes from the Latin  “nomen”, which means “name”.  The more […]

Finding Your Voice – Instructions for Living a Life Your unique voice is the way you move through the world, the way you express yourself, the worlds you create. Finding your own voice and feeling at home with it gives you confidence and power. Writing can help us find our own voice, which in turn […]