The Writing Forge

Miranda and Bonnie talk with Gary Raham about how science fiction can generate interest and learning when it comes to the sciences. Question for the week: What piece of fiction inspired your interest in a topic that you might not have otherwise had? Tips and Tricks: Children hold a natural wonder for the world and this matches well with the inherent wonder and curiosity that’s pervasive in science...

Chrysta Bairre joins Miranda and Bonnie to talk about Imposter Syndrome in this week’s episode of The Writing Forge. We referenced NCW/Writing Heights’ annual writing retreat a lot. Check out our website for details on our next retreat! https://writingheights.com/retreat This week’s question: Do you also suffer from Imposter Syndrome? If you do, what are some ways you counteract it? Let us know at...

In this week’s episode Bonnie and Miranda talk with blues-musician-turned-author Shawn Amos about living different creative lives, transferring skills from one creative pursuit to another, and capitalizing on the power of music in writing. Facebook: @writingheights Instagram: @writingheights Join the Writing Heights community at writingheights.com Cover art by Maggie Walker Links: Cookies & Mi...

Bonnie and Miranda talk about common misconceptions perpetuated in the writing community. This week’s question: What other common misconceptions do you see in the writing community? Do you have a writing rule that someone has told you and you want to know if it’s legit? Let us know on our socials. Tips and Tricks: ● Passive language and passive voice are different. Both are frequently edited out,...

Mike Pickard joins Miranda and Bonnie today to talk about the ever-dreaded writer’s block, whether or not it exists, and how to combat it. This week’s questions: Do you believe writer’s block exists? How do you deal with writer’s block? Have you ever experienced it? How long has it lasted? What finally got you out of it? Let us know on our socials. Tips and tricks: Generally, “writer’s block” is a...

Bonnie and Miranda talk with Ronda Simmons about writing under stress. This week’s question: What do you do to relieve your stress? And what do you do to keep writing and doing creative things while you’re stressed? Come chat with us on our socials. Tips and tricks: ● If you’re trying to create under stress, it sometimes helps to change things up. Create in a different space, put on different musi...

Amy Rivers joins Bonnie and Miranda on this episode of The Writing Forge to discuss trauma in fiction.  This week’s question: Assuming you're writing fiction, think about your main character. What trauma have they experienced? If you don’t have an answer to that question, what trauma could you introduce into their lives to help them grow? When writing trauma, the key is to find a balance betwe...

Miranda and Bonnie talk with Richard Bender about reading widely in today’s episode of the writing forge. This week’s question: What genres do you normally read? What genres are you unfamiliar with? Let us know and let’s give each other recommendations. Tips and Tricks: It’s important to read widely in order to familiarize yourself with different writing styles. Each genre has its strength. See wh...

On today’s episode we discuss comic books and graphic novels with author Rod Martinez . This Week’s Question: What is your favorite graphic novel? One that was most influential, one that caught your interest, or just one that you've been following? Let us know!  Tips and Tricks: When writing a graphic novel, don’t think like a novelist, instead try to think like a director in a play or a scree...

On today’s episode we discuss Bookstagram with author and Bookstagrammer Nina Little . This Week’s Question: Do you participate in Bookstagram? If you do, who's your favorite Bookstagrammer? Tag and share on social media; you can find our links in the description.  Tips and Tricks: Instagram is a visually based—take lots of pictures of your book, things in the book, or topics related to your b...

On today’s episode, Heather Hein joins Bonnie and Miranda at The Writing Forge to discuss plotting and planning your novel.  [Correction: Orson Scott Card coined the term MICE Quotient. Mary Robinette Kowal popularized it.] Tips and Tricks: Outlines can be used two ways: (1) as a map to guide your story as you write it or (2) as a diagnostic tool if you are stuck in your writing or there’s somethi...

Today, Bonnie and Miranda talk with JC Lynne about doing research for your fiction manuscript and how to incorporate research into your writing on this episode of The Writing Forge. Tips and Tricks: Start your research with these questions: What are you writing? (What is the topic that needs researching?) Who are you writing it for? Who are your characters and what would they know? [Specifically f...

On today’s episode of The Writing Forge, Bonnie and Miranda discuss the submission process, particularly for anthologies and literary magazines, with guest Cristina Trapani-Scott.  Tips and Tricks: To find places to submit your work there are a number of resources to research: The Writers Market Writing Organization Newsletters https://www.newpages.com/ https://www.pw.org/ https://www.thereviewrev...

Today we introduce and learn a little about the show hosts, Bonnie and Miranda, then dive into talking about balancing dialogue and description in your writing. Tips and Tricks Plan for multiple drafts of scenes, chapters, and full manuscripts. Don’t be afraid to lean into your strength first. If you’re good at dialogue, “sketch” out the dialogue. If you’re good at exposition, then first write the...