Researching Your Story—Part II
Posted on September 23, 2015 Leave a Comment
My first post a few months ago was called “Research—Imperative for Writers.” That’s a given. I gave a couple examples of what I’d researched for “Meghan’s Choice” and how I used them. I’m going to dig a little deeper and give you some research resources today. Click to Tweet. #storyresearch #storyworld #amwriting
Disappointments and Expectations—Part II
Posted on September 22, 2015 2 Comments
It seems that weekly someone disappoints me. I always have high hopes and expectations for people I’m involved with. Click to Tweet. I always hope for the best, so when they fail me, or I have failed them, or I have just failed, it’s a hurt and anger that needs to heal. #disappointment #expectations
Show and Tell — Part III When to Use Narrative Summary
Posted on September 16, 2015 Leave a Comment
Self Editing for Fiction Writers
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers By Renni Browne & Dave King
Second Edition
In referring to this resource on Show v. Tell, today, we’ll be looking at times when narrative summary (telling) can actually enhance the scenes that advance the story along (showing). Click to Tweet #selfediting #amwriting #showvtell
Rejection Issues — Part I
Posted on September 15, 2015 Leave a Comment
Today, I’m starting a series of posts expanding my understanding of rejection issues, how they affected me, and how I’m recovering from them. It is my hope you’ll be encouraged to examine yourself to see if any of these issues affect you. #rejectionissues #rejectionsymptoms #rejectionhope Click to Tweet
Show and Tell — Part II
Posted on September 9, 2015 Leave a Comment
Self Editing for Fiction Writers
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers By Renni Browne & Dave King
Second Edition
I started this series last week because of a discussion amongst a few fellow fiction writers, none of us, I might add, are published. I think one of us had some sort of writing training years ago in a traditional college setting. My writing training is more current and from Christian Writers Guild. We discussed show vs. tell. #selfediting #amwriting #showvtell
We writers tend to think we know it all, but we don’t, and what used to be called “creative writing” has changed dramatically in the last few years. Click to Tweet. I talked about that in last week’s post—how television and movies have changed the readers read and writers need to catch up.
Writing Emotional Pain—Part II
Posted on September 8, 2015 Leave a Comment
I’m reposting this, (with some editing) because it’s been nearly a year. I really did try to not “bleed” on you, but I did, didn’t I? Well, here’s the update. Yes, “Meghan’s Choice” has been rejected nine times within about a year and a half (four publishers, three contests, and two agents). I’ve healed from all of the rejections, but it’s very disappointing. Rejection is disappointing and it hurts, but you can be healed from it like I am. Click to Tweet #amwriting #rejection #emotion
“Please reject.” The email was from a complete stranger. I almost didn’t open it because I thought it was junk mail.
Show vs. Tell — Part I
Posted on September 2, 2015 Leave a Comment
Self Editing for Fiction Writers
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
By Renni Browne & Dave King
Second Edition
I was recently in a small group of writers and we were discussing show and tell. Or should I say show vs. tell. The old way of writing was tell, describe, narrate. The new way of writing is scenes, show, illustrate with words. Show, don’t tell. Why? Click to Tweet #amwriting #showvtell #selfediting
How to Handle Criticism – Updated
Posted on September 1, 2015 Leave a Comment
You did it! You wrote your story, your novel, or your article. It’s your baby. It feels like one, because it’s a creative venture. Especially in the area of fiction, we writers become anxious, nervous, and worried about what future editors and readers will think, don’t we? We gather up our courage and send it off to a contest, critique group or partner, like I did last year. Click to Tweet #amwriting #criticism #rejection
Since originally posting this entry, my manuscript has been rejected eight more times, two agents, four publishers, and two additional contests.
Gee whiz! I have now spent over two years writing, editing, having it professionally edited by a published author. The first chapter has been changed several times and the first page alone had been edited twice by the best my writing school had to offer. I self-edited it about ten times. Is it that bad?
Plot Patterns—Part IV Power & Allegory
Posted on August 26, 2015 3 Comments
The last few weeks we’ve been looking at plot patterns as outlined in James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. This week, we’ll wrap up plot systems with Power and Allegory. #plotting #plotpatterns Click to Tweet To access previous posts, click here.
What’s Your Living Epitaph?
Posted on August 25, 2015 Leave a Comment
How do you want to be remembered? I promise I’m not being morbid. As you think of your life, what have you accomplished so far? What goals and dreams do you still have you haven’t achieved yet? The older I get, the more I think about these questions in my own life. #epitaphs #goals #thehighchaparral #Ikeeptyring Click to Tweet
Donna L.H. Smith 