I want to laugh. More accurately, I need to laugh; a lot. -We all do. And laughter is a great stress reliever. When I posted about writing comedy, I suggested pulling up funny stories from our own experiences. The story doesn’t have to be a huge event, just something small, perhaps ordinary with a twist.
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In the last few posts, I’ve talked about recording a story or novel. You might enjoy writing and recording family stories. I am the chronicler for my family, and what they appreciate most is comedy. Everyone remembers the embarrassing or awkward moments. Hearing about, or reading these incidents, puts us right there in time and […]
You’re ready to record your story. Your copy is marked indicating areas to pause, what to emphasize, difficult passages, and any other useful notes to help give an engaging presentation. You could use the microphone built into your computer, but you’ll end up with a tinny, weak quality.
For recording The Solstice Conspiracy, I used […]
I’m happy to announce that my book “The Solstice Conspiracy” is now available as an audiobook. Amazon/Audible (The Solstice Conspiracy Audible Audio Edition). If you already own the Kindle version, the audio version is only $1.99 and you can also send it as a gift (delivered electronically). Some other purchase options are available through […]
Writing tip weekly stretched into writing tip monthly. Sometimes life takes over in a big way, and one must ride out the storm. During my absence, I did, at least, think about writing. -And that counts.
Once I had the pleasure of taking a writing workshop with Terry Brooks, a successful fantasy writer. His process […]
In writing, style is the way you use words and sentences. As you write, your style will unfold naturally. To build your style, be sure to write simply and clearly.
Get to the point. Use a shorter word when it does the same job as a longer choice. Pare down the adverbs and adjectives. Description […]
The Enderby Arts Council has asked me to do a presentation about The Solstice Conspiracy. I’ve been giving thought about to how to proceed. If you find yourself giving a presentation, launching your new book, or speaking on a specific subject, these suggestions might be helpful.
Please note that I’m making this up as I […]
A writer should snag their reader’s attention with the first line. Start with action right off. If you have to describe a setting or backstory, insert it later after the story is off to a good start.
This isn’t to say that you can’t open with a setting. It just needs to be lively. One […]
The best advice to writers is write. Set aside time each day. Even a few minutes can garner some gems. Write the first sentence, and you’ll find that a second sentence, waiting in the wings, will make an entrance.
Do you stare at a blank screen or piece of paper? I do sometimes. Try a […]
I love to edit. It’s in my nature, and I edit in all creative endeavours. Working in clay, as in writing, affords the best chance to whittle away unwanted bits. After sculpting a simple form, I choose a potter’s knife, removing the clay to reveal the character of the sculpture.
Taking a step back, I […]
