We may be wired for story, but we often don’t understand its structure or how a story is put together. The good news is story lives in us unconsciously. The other good news is...
Figuring out how you want your readers to feel can improve your plotting. Everything you include in your plot should lead to emotions in some way.
When I first wanted to learn Scrivener, I blocked off about 4 hours to pour over the tutorial, and figure out how I wanted to use the powerful writing tool. I did finally figure...
“Getting the Author Off the Page” by Alice Gaines was originally published in Writing Romance: The Ultimate Guide on Craft, Creation and Industry Connections. *** There I was, about halfway through writing my first...
“Nothing else does more to make a reader love the characters or to allow her to share in the characters’ emotions.” — Alice Gaines *** I’m passionate about point of view and work hard...
“Writing As…” metaphors… Many writers wind themselves into knots, thinking writing has be done a certain way, or else they are a failure. But what if writing could be anything you wanted it to...
Creativity Tools and Tips / inspiration / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published April 11, 2018 · Last modified April 17, 2018
Edge. On the edge. At the edge. Edgy. What’s over the cliff? Can you poke your nose over and see the depths of the potential fall? Being a creative isn’t about playing it safe;...
business of writing / Creativity Tools and Tips / inspiration / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published April 10, 2018 · Last modified May 8, 2018
The last day of classes before spring break I wanted to send my creative writing class off to enjoy the time away from school with a burst of creative inspiration for the next project.
A student was finding it difficult to journal. She didn’t have the time. There is a great deal behind the simple phrase, I don’t have time. We say this in answer to many projects that ironically, we desperately want to do: our journals, our books, our art, our education.
For many years I wanted to be a writer, from a young age in fact. At age 19, one summer, there I was journal writing in earnest 20 minutes every day before my student...
This month, I’m writing about my trial and error in determining my own “Why.” This is one of the toughest mental experiences of my life – identifying “Why” I do what I do.
I’m excited to announce an upcoming free live webinar with award-winning author and writing teacher, Bonnie Johnston, about scenes and specifically scene openings. Scenes are the building blocks of story; and if you can...
I am a WIP. You are too. We novelists use “WIP” to mean “Work in progress.”
Author Entrepreneur / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published March 27, 2018 · Last modified March 25, 2018
I made a recent VA mistake that I need to share so that you don’t make the same one.
Subscribe here to get notified each time we publish a post.
Welcome to the Writer’s Fun Zone, a blog for creative writers by Beth Barany, fiction writing teacher and novelist.
Articles by creative writers like you.
Check out the How To Write The Future podcast.
Subscribe to Writer's Fun Zone blog for resources, inspiration, and free resources:
Get these goodies:BONUS
As a bonus, you will also be subscribed to the CreativitySparks (tm) newsletter, full of tips and tools for novelists building a successful career. (Sent 1-2 times per week) By Beth Barany, Editor and Publisher of the Writer's Fun Zone, and a Creativity Coaching for Writers, and a novelist herself.
Beth Barany helps authors get their books completed and out into the world, into the hands of their readers.
Creativity Coach for Writers, NLP Master Practitioner, and Master Teacher, Beth Barany has been there and knows how hard it can be to take your idea and turn it into a real book, that people will actually be interested, and even yearning, to read.
She walks the talk, as her clients like to say. She is the author of the 2012 award-winning young adult fantasy novel Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, as well as the author of the bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors.
Ready to finish your book but not sure how?
Hire Beth to help you or take a class at Barany School of Fiction. Or join her Group Coaching Program.
Still have questions? Email Beth.
Recent Comments