Writing Advice and Inspiration: Cheat Sheet Part 12/12

Cheat Sheet for Writing and Revision

Writing Advice and Inspiration: The Business of Writing Part 11/12

CHAPTER 11

THE BUSINESS OF WRITING:  DRIVING YOURSELF NUTS FOR FUN AND PROFIT

By Corene Lemaitre

THE HOLY GRAIL OF PUBLICATION

As writing is hard work, your desire to profit from your efforts is understandable.  But if you want to make serious money, fiction is probably not the best way to go about it.  

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Revision Part 10/12

CHAPTER 10

REVISION:  REAL WRITERS REVISE

By Peter Selgin

FIRST DRAFTS

Before we decided how to revise, it helps to have something to revise, namely a first draft.  I've heard it said that a first draft should be written with the heart, whereas subsequent drafts must bring to bear that more critical organ, the brain.

It's okay if a first draft sucks;  it should suck; it's supposed to suck.  Be reckless, be shameless, be grossly irresponsible and self-indulgent, even, but get something down.

Remember: when writing first drafts you should not be editing.  There is a woman who owns a collections of hats and wears one while writing her first draft, and another hat when revising.

However inspired, first drafts can always stand improvement.  And while there may be nothing sentimental about revision, editing can be enjoyable.  With experience the fiction writer learns not only how to find and solve technical problems but that solving such problems in a manuscript can be as creative as writing first drafts.

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Theme Part 9/12

CHAPTER 9

THEME:  SO WHAT’S YOUR STORY REALLY ABOUT?

By Terry Bain

"What's your story about?"

"Find out."

Of course, I think I was confusing plot with what my story was "about."  He wasn't asking, What happens, but rather, What's the big picture?  Why should I care?  He wasn't just asking what the story was about plot wise but what was the story really about?

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Voice Part 8/12

This chapter on Voice is one that I have always struggled with. I use it all the time but find it hard to define. I also fail to see it in my own writing, but I hope that I will figure it out over time.

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Setting and Pacing Part 7/12

This next chapter is easily overlooked. Setting and pacing are so simplistically difficult to get right and so painfully obvious when ill written. There is a balance that the writer must decide for each piece of writing. It always changes.

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Dialogue Part 6/12

Chapter Six of the Writing Fiction novel focuses on dialogue. Dialogue has always been one of my favorite parts of a story or novel. I loved that this chapter helps to make dialogue more believable and less boring. It is deceiving sometimes...

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Description Part 5/12

Here is chapter 5 in the Writing Fiction book. This is a great chapter about description and how to make the most out of it.

What will I become?

I came upon this quote a few days ago and thought it quite profound.  The words and principle struck a chord with me and helped strengthen my resolve to work for my dreams.

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Point of View Part 4/12

Here is the next chapter of Writing Fiction. This focuses on point of view and their advantages and disadvantages, as well as, help in how deciding which one to use. Enjoy!

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Plot Part 3/12

Here is the third chapter in Writing Fiction. It focuses on plot and how to find it. I particularly liked this one. It helped me not worry about finding plot; it will just emerge over time. Enjoy!

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Character Part 2/12

This is the next chapter in the Writing Fiction novel.  It focuses on

what is a good character, and how to create one.  Enjoy!

Writing Advice and Inspiration: Fiction Part 1/12

I recently found this book that I used in one of my fiction/novel writing classes at SLCC. I remember how much I loved the book and how it inspired me to write. I decided I would re-read it and take notes on what struck me the most. Then I decided that others could benefit from my inspiration as well. So I am posting my notes on how to write great pieces of fiction. Feel free to be inspired and end up writing something that turns you into a millionaire. I only ask that you remember me and the part I played and perhaps reward me with some small example of your appreciation. (sideways winky face)