What will it take to get you writing through the next few months? I have some thoughts..
Also: I answer questions about getting through the middle of a project and about conquering procrastination
LINKS
Your Writing Life Series
[Write On Wednesday] Mirror Moment
This time last year I wrote about middles with the aim of helping you master your mindset.
This year I’m thinking more about the actual writing: how to write the middle of a story.
The inspiration for this prompt is unashamedly borrowed from James Scott Bell’s immensely readable ebook Write Your Novel From The Middle. It’s well worth the few dollars to pick up a copy of this book.
Even if you don’t have your copy yet, you can use Bell’s revelation that the middle of a story often involves a moment of introspection, to strengthen your short story writing today.
The Prompt
Write a literal or figurative Mirror Moment into the middle of your story.
Tips
Continue reading “[Write On Wednesday] Mirror Moment”189 – Have Fun In The Middle of Your Story
I often talk about the middle of a story as ‘the muddy middle’, but I prefer Blake Snyder’s label “fun and games”.
This week I talk about what the middle of your story has to do, why it’s hard, and how you can make it easier.
AND I answer StoryADay-er Jacqui’s question about how to get out of a funk and start writing again.
Resources:
James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel From The Middle https://amzn.to/2I9liuE
Jessica Brody’s Save The Cat Writes A Novel https://amzn.to/36yixff
Gwen Hayes’s Romancing The Beat https://amzn.to/2UoXnug
LINKS
What do you need to know about the I, WRITER Course?
https://storyaday.org/iwriter
[Write On Wednesday] Nose To Nose
All the prompts this month are designed to stand alone or support your novel habit! Use them to spark standalone stories or to unstick your work-in-progress.
Just because it’s short doesn’t mean a story can’t be complex.
The Prompt
Write a story in which the protagonist and antagonist are two sides of the same coin.
Tips
Continue reading “[Write On Wednesday] Nose To Nose”188 – Angela Ackerman & Great Character Writing
In Part 2 of my interview with Angela Ackerman, co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus and host of Writers Helping Writers, we talk about how to use details to write great characters, immerse readers in your story, and even figure out your plot.
Links:
Writers Helping Writers: http://stada.me/whw
One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw
[Write On Wednesday] Test Your Premise
This month’s writing prompts all acknowledge the fact that November belongs to novelists. Whether you write longer fiction or you don’t you can use this month’s prompts to nudge you forward in your writing practice.
The Prompt
Take an idea you have thought “I could write a novel about that” and test it as a short story
Tips
Continue reading “[Write On Wednesday] Test Your Premise”SWAGr for November 2020
Welcome to the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group!
Post your goals for this month and let us know how you got on with last month’s goals.
Leave a comment below telling us how you got on last month, and what you plan to do next month, then check back in on the first of each month, to see how everyone’s doing.
(It doesn’t have to be fiction. Feel free to use this group to push you in whatever creative direction you need.)
Did you live up to your commitment from last month? Don’t remember what you promised to do? Check out the comments from last month.
And don’t forget to celebrate with/encourage your fellow SWAGr-ers on their progress!
Download your SWAGr Tracking Sheet now, to keep track of your commitments this month
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Examples of Goals Set By SWAGr-ers in previous months
- Finish first draft of story and write 3 articles for my school paper. – Courtney
- Write on seven days this month – Clare
- Extend my reading and to read with a ‘writers eye’- Wendy
- write 10,000 words – Mary Lou
So, what will you accomplish this month? Leave your comment below (use the drop-down option to subscribe to the comments and receive lovely, encouraging notifications from fellow StADa SWAGr-ers!)
(Next check-in, 1st of the month. Tell your friends!)
187 – Angela Ackerman and “Should You NaNoWriMo?”
Angela Ackerman is the co-author of the Emotion Thesaurus range of writing books and the One Stop for Writers site. In this episode I talked to her about creativity and how a big writing challenge might be just the thing you need right now.
Links:
Angela’s post: http://stada.me/angela
One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw
186 – Shiny Object Syndrome
Should you take part in NaNoWriMo this year? Should you attend that conference or take that class? Should you buy that new writing craft book?
Here’s a process to get you started figuring out whether or not you’re looking at a shiny object or a shiny opportunity.
Links:
Should You Sign Up for the NaNoWriMo Writing Challenge?
I love a writing challenge. I love NaNoWriMo. I’ve taken part several times and learned a ton. It even inspired me to start StoryADay (you can read about the day I met NaNo founder Chris Baty!)
But every October the Writing-Internet becomes so obsessed with NaNoWriMo that it almost feels like you have to take part or you’re not a ‘real writer’.
In reality it’s not for everyone.
Continue reading “Should You Sign Up for the NaNoWriMo Writing Challenge?”