3 Questions and a Poem–in which one of my favorite poets is interviewed and shares a poem. QUESTION 1 What do you consider the three most important elements of a poem? For me, the three most important elements of a poem are authenticity, accessibility, and a sense of surprise or discovery. These are what I…
Category: Writing and writers
b.read.crumbs : Storytelling
Once upon a time and not so very long ago, I outlined an August in which I’d make final revisions on three essays, but my story took a turn I never anticipated. Backstory: Instead of writing and hiking at my leisure, I spent the month living in a chair-bed (it wasn’t very good at being…
You have a great idea! But will it be a great book?
guest post by Michelle Waitzman I was recently asked in an interview, “How do you know which of your ideas you should turn into a book?” As a non-fiction author, my ideas for books are triggered by my curiosity about a particular subject. For novelists, they might come from a snippet of overheard conversation, a…
Find Your Fictional Character’s Energy Motivators – Part 7 : Consciousness
Using an ancient philosophy of energy to help you create better characters This is the seventh and final part of a series of posts that exist across multiple blogs. You can find links to the other posts in the series here. We’ve discussed the four lower Energies and the two higher Energy in those previous…
Kirsten Weiss ~ Three Questions & a Cover
A short interview wherein my guest, one of my favorite authors, answers three questions about the writing life. Question 1 Do you create elaborate outlines for your books? If so, can you explain the process (briefly)? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants? If so, do you have any tricks you use to…
Mandy Haynes – Three Questions & a Cover
Three Questions and a Cover — a short interview with one of my favorite authors, along with one of the author’s covers. My guest today is the multi-talented Mandy Haynes. I think you’ll be surprised by some of what she reveals in this interview. Apparently she was, too. Question: What one piece of advice can you…
Melissa Helton ~ 3 Questions & a Poem
3 Questions and a Poem–in which one of my favorite poets is interviewed and shares a poem. QUESTION 1 What do you consider the three most important elements of a poem? The number one experience I need from a poem is to see the world in a different way by the time I’m done with…
Five of the Best Places I’ve Visited
The good people over at Long and Short Reviews have set forth a list of topics for their Wednesday Blogging Challenge in 2021. I encourage you to take a look at the list and join in, whether you actually post on your blog or write about the topic in your journal or simply mull it…
10 Things You Should Never Say to a Writer
<snarkiness ahead> Maybe your intentions are good or maybe you just don’t understand how very fragile and pathetic is the writer’s ego, but some things should NOT be said to a writer. You may get a bland smile and mumbled semi-gracious reply, but what the writer says and what the writer thinks…ah! vast gap between…
b.read.crumbs : Communing
I’m writing this post during a Rhizosphere co-working session. These are Zoom sessions hosted by Janisse Ray, and they’re free to join. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, you can sign up here: The Rhizosphere Maybe you’re wondering why I sign in to Zoom, and spend an hour or so in silence along with…