For many artists, writing is a white-knuckle experience that causes suffering. Loosely paraphrased, as Buddhism says, suffering arises from attachment – to thoughts, feelings and attitudes that create the nature of the experiences we have. What if you could take a more Zen approach to your writing?
I was recently asked by an aspiring fantasy writer how I deal with “info dumping”. Now, I’ve been at this writing thing for some time and yet was unfamiliar with this term.
This material first appeared as a course within the Group Coaching Program for Novelists where Carol is an assistant mentor. Click here http://coaching.bethbarany.com/ for more information about the program where we help novelists write, edit, publish,...
Your book is finished. You’ve written a first draft, and maybe you’ve revised it—maybe even several times. You wonder if it’s “finished.” It might be. You might have a perfect gem on your hands. However, you might want to take another look—a slow, careful look—after you’ve let it rest for a week or two.
Criticism can be harmful. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, offers the following definition: “…1a: the act of criticizing usu. unfavorably, seeking encouragement rather than˜….c: CRITIQUE 2: the art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature…”
Becoming a writer… that is not, or certainly should not be a solitary thing.
My journey to that check took approximately twenty-eight years. I wrote my first article, under my byline, for the Bennett Banner, the newspaper of my alma Mater, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC. I spent my junior year as an exchange student at Dartmouth College, back in the day when it was a men’s college. I was asked to write about it.
I mentioned last month that I would share a bit of news with you. Well the news is that I am leaving Ireland to return to the UK, where my husband is from and where we spent the first few years of married life. It was a big decision but we know it is the right one for us. We’re quite excited about the potential of a new start and are eager to get going now the decision has been made.
If you draw a blank when it comes to having cover art made for your book, rest assured you have many budget-friendly options and need not rely on a publisher or agent to connect you to a book cover artist or designer.
I cheer and whoop and holler for other writers’ success; and when I do, I mean it. I genuinely mean it. But I find myself constantly comparing myself to others and how they are doing. Social media doesn’t help with that. Knowing how many followers and likes and comments etc that others have can give me a false sense of triumph and needless disappointment.
As in a game, readers want to know what’s at stake. Is it life? Love? Friendship? Money? The ranch? The locket? Readers have to know what your hero or heroine will gain or lose in the story
Welcome back to another one of Writer’s Fun Zone’s monthly columnists: Wyatt Bessing. A writing coach and teacher, author, Wyatt Bessing shares his fun take on games, play, and how they help our writing....
Creativity Tools and Tips / Fantasy and Paranormal
by Beth Barany · Published April 6, 2011 · Last modified November 4, 2012
Turns out Baba Yaga is more popular in the arts than I realized! She’s an old witch in Slavic and Russian folk tales. I associate here with these motifs: * Fire * A house that runs on chicken legs * She eats maidens…
Courses + Workshops / Creativity Tools and Tips / inspiration / Writer's Adventure Guide
by Beth Barany · Published February 15, 2010 · Last modified February 16, 2010
Stuck? Have an idea but not sure how put it down on paper? Looking for a guideline to help build your story? Then this online workshop is for you! Join Beth Barany as she presents 12 clear organized steps to create your novel from beginning to end.
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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.
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