March 19th, 2021
Some Guideposts for Switching Genres
Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Writing Craft
by Eldred Bird
I write a lot of different kinds of short stories and flash fiction, but when it comes to novels, I’ve pretty much kept my train on the adventure/mystery track. It’s my comfort zone and the place I run to for longer works.… Read the post
February 12th, 2021
Writing Locations as Characters
Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Writing Craft
by Eldred Bird
Where we choose to set our stories is an important decision. It can inform everything that happens in the story, from plot points and character development to pacing and mood. For this reason, I like to treat my locations as I would the characters in my stories.… Read the post
January 25th, 2021
What’s My Motivation?
Posted In:
Writer's Life | Writing Craft
by Eldred “Bob” Bird
My characters are my children. I create them, nurture them, and help them grow. I also abuse them, annoy them, and torture them. I’m a writer—it’s my job.
If I’ve done my job well, by the end of the story the main character will have gone through the fires of hell and come out the other side a changed, more well-rounded individual.… Read the post
January 13th, 2021
People Watching During a Pandemic
Posted In:
Writer's Life | Writing Craft
by Eldred “Bob” Bird
There’s no doubt 2020 has changed some of our writing habits. In the years BC (Before Covid), one of my favorite writing exercises was people watching. I’d tote my laptop to parks libraries, pubs, and a whole host of other public places.… Read the post
October 28th, 2020
Tips to Up Your "What If" Game
Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Writing Craft
by Eldred "Bob" Bird
With NaNoWriMo just a few days away, many WITS readers are probably prepping for the mad dash—plotting, building character profiles, setting word count goals, and stocking up on the caffeine delivery system of their choice. Others (like me) are beginning to panic as they stare at a blank page and hope beyond hope that a brilliant idea will descend from the heavens like a gift from God and drop into their addled brian in time for the November starting gun.… Read the post
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