Writer's Fun Zone by Beth Barany

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Writing Tips

Leveraging Limitations for Greater Creativity and Productivity by Brian James Lane

Often times, you may hear that to be successful in your creative endeavors you need to “think outside the box”. This is sound advice. There is nothing more infinite than what is outside the conventional. There is also nothing more boundless than the blank page. Sometimes, creativity may need to be reined in so as not to be overwhelmed. What better place than a box to give your inspiration some form? A small box.

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Writing Tips

Write what you know…emotionally

From the library of Beth’s writing resources, a quote from Lisa Cron’s book, WIRED FOR STORY: “MYTH: Write what you know. REALITY: Write what you know emotionally.” I love this quote because, well, it...

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Writing Tips

Stop Thinking About Your Goals and Do Something! Active Practice vs. Passive Learning by Carol Malone

Back in my early adulthood, I sat in a workshop where the instructor beat us over the head about setting goals. Right now I can’t remember much of what he said, but I do remember I thought long and hard about goal setting, but not so much about how I might actually reach a goal. I don’t remember the instructor teaching us the practical steps of working at a goal.

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Writing Tips

Choosing Your Publishing Path by Jami Gray

You’ve finished your first novel, sent it through the wringer of your critique group or chosen beta readers, and tweaked it again and again. Nerves rioting, you’ve decided set it free into the reading world. You’re standing in the open doorway and the paths before you are numerous. You notice a passing author out for a stroll with their third, or was it tenth, book at their side. You clear your throat and timidly ask, “Which road is the one to Publication City?”

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Writing Tips

The Stages of A Story by Kay Keppler

Structuring genre novels and Hollywood movies is simple. (It’s the writing that’s hard!) They’re built on only three basic elements—character, desire, and conflict—and have a plot structure that consists of six basic stages. These stages help you build tension and conflict into your story and strengthen its emotional impact.

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Writing Tips

Urban Legends and the Joy of Mis-information by Catharine Bramkamp

Urban Legends are the sturdy children of ancient myths and legends. We love to believe the story about the hook on the car door, or the dog drying in the microwave, or the car following a driver in the middle of the night and honking because there was a killer in the back seat. We love these stories, we believe these stories because we heard it from a friend who heard it from their aunt who swore she knew the victim, or at least heard of the victim. No names are ever exchanged. But even so, the story must be true. Preposterous, but deliciously true.

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