I love March, not only because it means that spring is just around the corner, but because it is NaNoEdMo, a month dedicated to editing. So many, writers fall short when it comes to self-editing their own work. Let’s face it edits — or at least serious edits — can be time consuming and evenContinue reading “March is NaNoEdMo”
Tag Archives: writing
Names: You have one, I have one, characters have one
Most writers will send hours pouring over names, searching for that perfect one that fits a character like a shoe. We can spend hours on this endeavor until we finally arrive at “The One.” There are many name website out there to help us on this task; I personally love http://www.behindthename.com, which is my go-toContinue reading “Names: You have one, I have one, characters have one”
Writing Prompt #5
Up to this point, the writing prompts I have posted have been geared toward improving a writer’s knowledge of their character(s); this time, however, I’m going to shake things up a bit and have the focus be on world-building. And here is the prompt: You are a tour guide for your world and will beContinue reading “Writing Prompt #5”
World-building Series: Money, money, money
Money truly makes the world go around, so it is a given writers’ built worlds will have it and that the characters that inhabit the world will have to use it at some point: whether to get provisions or procure lodging. Money, or currency, has seen interesting transformations in our world, evolving several times beforeContinue reading “World-building Series: Money, money, money”
Setting: Hobos in Outer Space
I cannot remember where I heard this phrase — I imagine it was while I was at Purdue — but whenever I think of setting, it springs to mind. Sometimes characters just seem to float in a void, especially in works belonging to fledgling writers. There is nothing around, or at least, the reader isContinue reading “Setting: Hobos in Outer Space”
Character Series: Education
What was your characters’ education like? It is an aspect of your characters that you should know since education will be a deciding factor on what jobs your characters can have, their world views and how easily they can navigate through life. Ask yourself what type of students your characters were. Did they engage inContinue reading “Character Series: Education”
Writing Prompt #4
[Writer’s Note: Another late night at work, this time doing a chicken photo-shoot — yes, you heard me correctly. Tomorrow there will be another character series post, and I will get caught up on responding to all the comments, at least by Saturday.] Your character finds a genie lamp and can make three wishes. WriteContinue reading “Writing Prompt #4”
Killing your darling characters
There are many darlings writers kill: words, scenes, characters or even complete story lines and books. Rather than look at the whole, I am going to focus on characters — they are often the hardest to visit death upon, whether by killing them in a novel or completely removing them from a manuscript. Let’s faceContinue reading “Killing your darling characters”
Writing Prompt #3
(Writer’s Note: Today’s post has to be a writing prompt, I had to take on two town meetings for a co-worker so have no time to prepare a writing article, but I have a really good one in mind that will hopefully be posted tomorrow.) Through some misfortune, your character (or a group of characters)Continue reading “Writing Prompt #3”
World-building: Resources
Anyone who has played Sid Meier’s Civilization or Age of Empires, will know all about the importance of resources. They determine what you can build, trade or sustain. Wars are fought over them: I know I’m guilty of this, taking out the French (in Civilization) for daring to set up a village and steal theContinue reading “World-building: Resources”
Blood & Ink 