This is a true story:  I looked out my window this morning, as I always do while drinking my breakfast protein shake. In the heavier than usual wind, the prayer flags flapped loudly. Through the narrow gaps of brightly-colored material I saw a profusion of blooming tropical flowers. Behind them, a mermaid sat on her […]

    Last month, I shared J.K. Rowlings top tips on writing and success, and it was a tough choice between her and Stephen King. Those two write such wonderful books because they understand love and fear. Have you read Stephen King's On Writing? Seen The Shawshank Redemption (my favorite movie ever)  or The Green Mile? King is […]

Laurie Schnebly Campbell You’ve heard of the Myers-Briggs test, right? Maybe even taken it for school or work? Maybe even had one or two or 28 of your characters take it? No worries if you haven’t done any of that -- it’s a pretty simple concept, which goes all the way back to Aristotle. (Actually […]

Margie Lawson Does your real or imaginary writing checklist include: Make Character Descriptions Fresh, Unpredictable, Multi-Powerful? If not, it could. Character descriptions can add power on multiple levels. You can treat the reader to something fresh, something they haven’t read before. You can slip in details that deepen characterization too. Character descriptions provide an opportunity […]

Heather Webb Failure. Hmmmm. Well, I recently entered two contests and wasn’t selected. I’ve had agents who didn’t want me, editors who didn’t want my book(s), and enough negative reviews to be christened an author. I’ve also had the illustrious pleasure of receiving a small handful of emails from Wikipedia Historians telling me why I’m […]