I talked with a friend the other day who told me about tracking down the truth of some old family stories. Her grandmother, it appears, may have been a waitress in a Southern restaurant frequented by mobsters on the run in the 1930s. The family had sent her to a private school, but then the Depression hit and the money ran out. My friend's grandmother essentially disappeared … [Read more...] about Secrets and Stories by Lani Longshore
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History and World Building by Lani Longshore
I'm reading The Oregon Trail by Rinker Buck, who decided to outfit a covered wagon and revisit what is left of the Oregon Trail. He spends a couple of chapters talking about wagons. The Conestoga Wagon may be what most people remember from history class, but that wasn't the wagon that went west. The Conestoga Wagon, which Buck compares with an 18-wheeler on our highways today, … [Read more...] about History and World Building by Lani Longshore
Stairway to Story: A writing prompt by Lani Longshore
Now that the weather is better, I find myself away from the computer more often. The writing projects lined up on my desk are gathering dust, metaphorically and literally. I wasn't quite at the point of despair because the weather is beautiful, but the nagging voice in my head was getting louder. Then, on a trip to Sausalito, I noticed this alley. This isn't the … [Read more...] about Stairway to Story: A writing prompt by Lani Longshore
Submit your writing for publication and get paid! by Paula Chinick
Most writers have heard these words but then shrug them off. The hard part may be finding the right niche. Once found, you can earn an income. Before you get too excited, at the start you probably will want to hold on to that day job. With your first assignment, however, you’ll have the satisfaction of being paid for your work, no long arduous commute (working from home), … [Read more...] about Submit your writing for publication and get paid! by Paula Chinick
Creating memorable characters with a go-to excuse by Lani Longshore
Over the years, I've read lots of books and articles about creating memorable characters. Early on, the advice focused on visualizing your character and considering how gender, height, weight, coloring, and recognizable facial markings could have affected that character's life. Later, it became fashionable to think of fashion. What did it mean that your character wore high … [Read more...] about Creating memorable characters with a go-to excuse by Lani Longshore
Writing Beyond the Ending by Lani Longshore
I just finished Lisa Cron's Story Genius. It's a fabulous book with some outstanding exercises, especially for finding the real starting point for your novel. I've started planning my next novel, exploring my characters, and collecting scenes that will help me find the right place to begin the story. My revelation for this blog, however, is about ending the story. My … [Read more...] about Writing Beyond the Ending by Lani Longshore
Well-timed Writing by Lani Longshore
I am a writer, therefore I collect technique books. And articles. And notes on random scraps of paper. I'll save anything that will help me get through a muddy plot or tame a misbehaving character. The problem I have isn't a lack of information but the wrong timing. The most brilliant advice in the world won't help a fig if I'm not in the right place to accept it. I'm not … [Read more...] about Well-timed Writing by Lani Longshore
The Idleness of March by Lani Longshore
March began quietly. I finished a story for critique group. I did the laundry. I listened to the weather report so I could prepare for the next rain storm. February is short, and there are deadlines. Between getting the tax information collected, registering for the April 22 Tri-Valley Writers conference (have you registered yet?) and entering the writing contest, and all the … [Read more...] about The Idleness of March by Lani Longshore
