You've probably heard people say, “I’ve always wanted to write,” as often as I have. Gets old, doesn't it? Maybe you’ve said it yourself. An estimated 80 million Americans want to write a book. But how many actually write anything, let alone a book? For most people, being a writer is just a vague … [Read more...] about Are You a Real Creative Writer?
Creative Writing Tips
Supercharge Your Life Writing with These Ideas
The main branch of my town library invited three instructors to lead creativity workshops for folks 50+ years old. I had the pleasure of running the workshop on memoir and life story writing with three different groups of participants. I'd worried beforehand that the evening was packing too many … [Read more...] about Supercharge Your Life Writing with These Ideas
The Making of a Writer
I Had It All Wrong My early fantasies of the writing life bore no relation to reality, saturated as they were with a determined sentimentality. I must have gotten my ideas from photos I came across in which writers were always pensively portrayed in workspaces that overlooked meadows and … [Read more...] about The Making of a Writer
Bestselling Author Leigh Russell’s Advice to Aspiring Writers
Author Leigh Russell writes the bestselling series of crime thrillers featuring detective Geraldine Steel. Her novels are CUT SHORT (2009); ROAD CLOSED (2010); and DEAD END (2011). Leigh generously shares tips for aspiring writers in her guest post below. - Lynette Guest Post by Leigh Russell … [Read more...] about Bestselling Author Leigh Russell’s Advice to Aspiring Writers
When You Hate the Book You’re Writing: My Solution
So, there I was a couple of weeks ago, proudly flipping through the completed first chapters of my memoir, My Mother's Money. I had the hook, followed by a gripping scene to introduce the story's first complication. Then I plunged readers (and the main characters) into a big surprise. Chapter 4 … [Read more...] about When You Hate the Book You’re Writing: My Solution
The Mystery of Character in Memoirs – Guest Post
I’m thrilled to have Shakirah Dawud, of DeliberateInk, one of the best, most thought-provoking writers around, contribute her thoughts on memoir here. You’ll find your own conception of characters in your memoir deepened by her insights. - Lynette The Mystery of Character in Memoirs Shakirah … [Read more...] about The Mystery of Character in Memoirs – Guest Post
Don’t Submit Your Writing Yet—Please!
Whenever aspiring writers send me their "fantastic, soon-to-be-bestseller" to compliment, I cringe. They've put a ton of effort into their manuscripts. They've neglected their family and social lives—and maybe even their paying jobs—to imbue their narratives with all the talent and skill they can … [Read more...] about Don’t Submit Your Writing Yet—Please!
Memoir or Family History? A Deeper Look at the Differences
Introduction While sorting out the question of whether my work-in-progress, My Mother’s Money, is a memoir or a family history, I became intrigued by several thoughtful posts on Virginia Lloyd’s blog addressing this and other questions about what qualifies as memoir. So I invited her to discuss the … [Read more...] about Memoir or Family History? A Deeper Look at the Differences
Show Me the Evidence
I tell my creative writing students, "Show us what your characters are feeling. If you were in court, you couldn't just say, 'He was upset.' You'd need to give evidence of that presumed state of mind. Was he waving a stick and shouting as he chased a miscreant down the block?" If you write that, … [Read more...] about Show Me the Evidence