Category: Creative Writing
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Will, Intellect, and Empathy/Emotion
I read in a book by Peter Kreeft that there are three dimensions to the human heart considered in the deepest, fullest, most inclusive sense: the human power of the will, the intellect, and our emotions. All can guide us. All clamor for attention. I was FASCINATED when he mentioned various literary trios who tend…
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On prequels and plot armor
The prequel to my trilogy is still in developmental editing stages, but writing it was an interesting experience due to the issue of plot armor. If you’re not familiar with the term, “plot armor” describes a scenario where readers/viewers know a character MUST survive a scene or even an entire story due to outside circumstances–the…
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My favorite edit to book two of my trilogy
I’m still so excited to be getting second editions of my trilogy out, and that book one is now available. Book two is currently with beta readers. I’ve made some big cuts to book two (some 10,000 words!), but my favorite edit is the one major thing I’ve added. I have fleshed out the relationship…
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Do you shoot for a daily word count? Try weekly, or even monthly, instead
I enjoy listening to comedian Jen Fulwiler’s podcast from time to time, and she recently talked about how it can be useful to expand our goals, time-wise, for the sake of our own sanity. For instance, do you shoot for writing 1000 words a day? Do you feel frustrated, guilty, angry, or overwhelmed when life…
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Quality versus quantity while writing a first draft
I want to address the issue of quality versus quantity (word count) in first drafts today. I see SOOO many people on social media obsessing over word count, or on meeting daily word count goals. If you’re a full time writer with contract deadlines, maybe that makes sense. But I’m guessing that’s not the case.…
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On roads, in life and fiction
I’m preparing to go out of town as I write this, and will be out of time when it goes live (my posts are generally pre-written and scheduled for release), so travel is on my mind. Travel is such an important trope in life and in fiction. I’ve heard it said that the two greatest…
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Why this new review brought tears to my eyes
A new review of “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope” brought tears to my eyes today. It was posted on Amazon as 5 stars This book is remarkable. On the surface it’s a simple “chosen one” quest to overthrow the tyrant. Once you start reading it takes you on a more incredible journey. Gritty,…
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Thoughts on killing off characters
The first character I ever had die on me in the middle of a story was Beth March. I’m still not sure I’m over it. I loved Beth SOOOO much! That said, both as a writer or reader, I’m not averse to killing off a character or two, if it’s done the right way. (Obviously,…
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The two series that made me want to be an author
The two series that definitely made me want to be an author “when I grow up” were Nancy Drew and The Babysitters Club. I remember, the first stories I wrote were in third or fourth grade. I penned a short series of “mysteries” based on Nancy Drew where one of the kids in my class…
Creative Writing with the Crimson League 