My daughter posted a meme on Facebook called California English: yeah, no means no; no, yeah means yes; yeah, no, for sure means definitely. That is why I love eavesdropping on random conversations to help with character development. Dialogue can tell the reader so much about the character, sometimes without them being aware of it. If your character answers a yes-no question … [Read more...] about Dialogue and Character Development by Lani Longshore
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Goals by Lani Longshore
Almost every piece of writing advice I’ve seen lately encourages setting goals to promote productivity. The idea is if you write your goals down on a list, you are more likely to achieve them. I am living proof that writing down goals is not enough. I have a weekly to-do list that I augment with notes about projects and deadlines. The items on my to-do list sometimes get kicked … [Read more...] about Goals by Lani Longshore
Clutter, Creativity, and the Writer’s Mind by Lani Longshore
I returned from an art quilt retreat to find my writing space covered with random pieces of paper. I shouldn't have been surprised, because that is the way I left it. Once again, I had succumbed to the oldest lie I tell myself: “I'll remember this later when I have time to write.” Although I had jotted down ideas, I hadn't labeled anything, much less organized it. Silly … [Read more...] about Clutter, Creativity, and the Writer’s Mind by Lani Longshore
How to RUE by Lani Longshore
RUE–Resist the Urge to Explain. Over-explaining is one of the quickest ways to get your readers to skim. The problem is, no one can define how much backstory is sufficient or can pinpoint the exact place to insert it. This is one of the aspects of craft that can drive even an experienced writer around the bend. The last time I read an article about RUE, I remember thinking … [Read more...] about How to RUE by Lani Longshore
Writing Can Be Fun by Julie Royce
Waiting for inspiration is the death knell to writing. If literary brilliance eludes you, don’t give up; write something fun. I have written one crime novel, one historical fiction, and two travel guides: one to Lake Huron’s shoreline and the other to Lake Michigan’s coast. When it’s hard to create a worthwhile sentence, I switch gears to something fun. I compiled a 406-page … [Read more...] about Writing Can Be Fun by Julie Royce
Writing What No One Could Predict by Lani Longshore
Isaac Asimov wrote that it was easy to predict the income tax, but difficult to predict the expense account. Futurists get a lot of things right, but predicting societal paradigm shifts is more akin to magic than logic. Writers could learn from this. We may be creating the world of our novels, but we are bound by our background. When we plot our stories, what makes sense to us … [Read more...] about Writing What No One Could Predict by Lani Longshore
Point of View and People Watching Me by Lani Longshore
When the car passed in the dark street, my first thought was, "What sort of story will that driver tell about us later today?" My husband, son, and I trundled through the dark and cold, way-before-dawn, to view the eclipse of the Blue Blood Moon. Our neighborhood is filled with street lights, but within a few blocks is an empty field that fronts the runway of the municipal … [Read more...] about Point of View and People Watching Me by Lani Longshore
Three Steps to Become A Better Writer by Lani Longshore
Every January offers a chance to reinvent yourself, including your writing self. If you aren't satisfied with where you are and what you are doing as a writer, now is the time to try something new. 1. Create your own writing prompts. As you go through your day, jot down the odd questions that pop in your head or the casual misreadings of books and signs that make you laugh … [Read more...] about Three Steps to Become A Better Writer by Lani Longshore
