Whelp, here it is--the penultimate (I love it when I can work that word into a sentence) writing prompt (this one is a decidedly dark one) from the back cover of John Brueckner's fabulous treasure trove of creativity-fueling noodle nudgers...now go write something! Carrie Graves stepped out onto the stateroom balcony and peered out over … Continue reading A book full of writing prompts: the fifth taste of John Brueckner’s latest book, “892 Opening Lines”–writealready2017.com
"(A writer) learns most clearly what not to do by reading bad prose."--Stephen King, On Writing
Like I've said before: run, don't walk, to your nearest local bookstore and GET. THIS. BOOK! I've been working on what started out as a micro-fiction two-pager, and has become a short story about a VW Beetle being used as a boat, an alternate universe, and an amnesiac time-traveller. Just sayin'. Here's the third prompt … Continue reading A book full of writing prompts: the third taste of John Brueckner’s latest book, “892 Opening Lines”–writealready2017.com
Love. This. Book. And true to my word, here is the next sample prompt taken from the back cover copy--you can't help but wonder as you read each one of these, especially if you do so in succession, "Where the hell does he come up with these?" Amy Lou shuffled off to school in a … Continue reading A book full of writing prompts: a second taste of John Brueckner’s latest book, “892 Opening Lines”–writealready2017.com
As you all well know, I'm a big fan of writing prompts. For me, they help to quiet the creative chaos and scattered minutiae of potential writing fodder in my brain, and funnel all those microscopic motes into one, cohesive mass from which I can draw from. (I recently finished up an ongoing prompt series, … Continue reading A book full of writing prompts? Sign me up: a taste (or six) of John Brueckner’s latest book, “892 Opening Lines”–writealready2017.com
I believe it was Ernest Hemingway that said, "...write the truest sentence you know." This is great advice for writers of all level and ilk...and a lesson I'm still struggling to learn. As writers, we are entertainers. We write books for people who want a diversion from the daily grind. No matter what the subject … Continue reading Honesty in Writing #amwriting — Life in the Realm of Fantasy
It's as if she was inside my own head...I've always felt this way, and to date, I've yet to write in first person (other than personal essays, of course). Perhaps it's time I try! Happy January, SEers! Mae here, with my first post of the New Year, and I’m glad to have you with me. … Continue reading Are You a POV Snob? — Story Empire
I love this--just when you think you've read enough about "show, don't tell," something like this comes along...I'm a sucker for concrete examples. One of the first pieces of advice most writers have beaten into them is “Show don’t tell.” The reason this advice is hammered home so hard is because it is, in fact, … Continue reading What’s a McDonald’s? Handling Exposition when you have to Tell Instead of Show. — The Home of Alex Raizman
Well, here it is, kind readers...the last response to the last prompt. Read on, and then try your hand at it when the mood strikes. Writing prompts are a wonderful way to get the creative juices flowing again if you've hit a little dry patch in your writing...or a big dry patch, at that. Take … Continue reading Limber Up Before Letting Loose: Response to Prompt 15
Alas! You may have noticed that I've SERIOUSLY dragged my feet in posting this, the final prompt in my series. I hope you've enjoyed this exercise as much as I have--and I'd love to see your responses! As always, the links to the previous prompts and my own responses are below; I'll post my response … Continue reading Limber Up Before Letting Loose: Prompt 15
Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Content Writing 