Category: Creativity and Craft

Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft

Fangirl Report: Catching Maggie Stiefvater on The Raven King Book Tour

Maggie Stiefvater. Photo by R.J. Allen. I am an unabashed fangirl of great writing, and have the photos to prove it here. So when I heard that Maggie Stiefvater would be nearby on her book signing tour for The Raven King, the fourth and last book in The Raven Cycle, the date immediately went on my calendar. Luckily, someone cheered on Twitter about getting off … Continue reading Fangirl Report: Catching Maggie Stiefvater on The Raven King Book Tour

Rebecca J. Allen1 Comment
Conferences & writing retreats, Creativity and Craft

Writing for Fun: Reflections on a Workshop with Jo Knowles

When was the last time you wrote just for fun? I have to admit I haven’t for a long time. It’s hard to squeeze writing time in around the rest of life, so when I get it, I feel pressure to be productive: write the next chapter, deepen a character arc, start on revisions. Something needs to get checked off the list. So when I saw that … Continue reading Writing for Fun: Reflections on a Workshop with Jo Knowles

Rebecca J. Allen5 Comments
Creativity and Craft

On Writing by Stephen King

There are literally a million books on the craft of novel writing (tsk-tsk anyone who accuses me of exaggerating.) So what makes this one so special? The first, and most obvious, reason is because Stephen King wrote it. Second, not only do you get a craft book, but you are also treated to an autobiography. He gives us a matter-of-fact description of his writing journey, … Continue reading On Writing by Stephen King

Halli Gomez12 Comments
Creativity and Craft

Unlocking Our Creativity

As writers, we spend so much time developing our craft, but at the end of the day we still need something we can’t seem to control—our creativity. Or maybe we can. At least a little. Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka said in his keynote speech at the recent NESCBWI conference that you need to be bored to spark creativity. He’s right, but maybe it’s more than … Continue reading Unlocking Our Creativity

Karin LefrancLeave a comment
Creativity and Craft

Ideas to Hack Down Writers’ Blocks

Overwriting your writer’s blocks is much like making cord bracelets. What is blocking you is maybe the temporary inability to generate new ideas, or to come up with the proper design, or the fact that you struggle with too many ideas. So, twist and turn your neurons into unusual, unexpected shapes in order to produce and curl those ideas. Voice your goals for the day. … Continue reading Ideas to Hack Down Writers’ Blocks

Sussu Leclerc31 Comments
Creativity and Craft, Writer's Life

Creating a Daily Writing Routine

I am not a morning person. At least, I didn’t use to be. But I need a daily writing routine and morning is the best time for me to do it. A lot of writers participate in #5amwritersclub on Twitter. I’m taking baby steps toward that, but to be honest, I think I need to start my own #6amwritersclub because, well, mornings. Bleh. I started … Continue reading Creating a Daily Writing Routine

Julie Artz4 Comments
Creativity and Craft

Pantsers vs. Plotters: A Hybrid Approach

When I took a behind-the-scenes poll at The Winged Pen, I wasn’t surprised to find that my writing pals divided themselves almost evenly between plotters (those who plot out their stories before they begin writing) and pantsers (those who write by the seat of their pants with little or no advanced preparation). What I wasn’t prepared for was how many longed to write with the … Continue reading Pantsers vs. Plotters: A Hybrid Approach

Jessica Vitalis4 Comments
Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft

Writing Historical Fiction, or, Notes from a Time Traveler

Writing Historical Fiction, or, Notes from a Time Traveler For years I was haunted by a dream of a young woman walking through long grass. I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear her breathing hard, because she wore a corset and the hem of her brocade dress was damp and heavy. She carried a letter in her hand as she made her way … Continue reading Writing Historical Fiction, or, Notes from a Time Traveler

Gita Trelease8 Comments
Creativity and Craft, Interviews

Up Your Game with the Write Fashions from THE WINGED PEN

Can the right clothes inspire writers? In a word, yes. My Winged Pen fellow, Michelle Leonard, pointed me to this article about how clothes affect our performance. Get your red sneakers now before there’s a run on them! So what do productive writers wear? Lucky socks? Writer’s baseball cap? NaNoWrimo Winner t-shirt? I once had a beloved writing sweater with a monk-like cowl with pom-pom … Continue reading Up Your Game with the Write Fashions from THE WINGED PEN

Laurel DecherLeave a comment
Creativity and Craft

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Ideas. Ugh. (Drops head on laptop’s keyboard, accidently hits the delete button and erases the 61,000 word WIP) There is a lot of pressure to come up with story ideas. They can’t be just good. They have to be original. Exciting. Sellable. How does a writer do that? I struggled with that issue when I decided to take my writing seriously. How would I ever come … Continue reading Where Do Ideas Come From?

Halli Gomez6 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft, Interviews

Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee

Gabby Byrne: Today I have the unparalleled delight of interviewing one of my agency-sisters, Karen Foxlee. She’s the bestselling author of OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, THE MIDNIGHT DRESS, and AN ANATOMY OF WINGS. She’s also just an all-around wonderful person. Her new book, A MOST MAGICAL GIRL is due out in August, 2016. Karen lives in the far-flung wilds of Northern Australia and is … Continue reading Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee

Gabrielle Byrne4 Comments
Book Recommendations, Creativity and Craft

The BFF effect: Why do I always love the sidekick best?

It happens to me all the time. I’m reading a book and find myself connecting with the best friend character, even more so than with the main character. Maybe it’s because the author has brought me so far inside the skin of the main character that I can’t separate myself from her, so I end up loving who she loves. Or maybe it’s because I’m … Continue reading The BFF effect: Why do I always love the sidekick best?

Amy Kurtz Skelding4 Comments