Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Humanity is a complex thing. We can be cruel, harsh, and close-minded. We can live in fear for that which is different — people, places, and technology. There is much that is dark and depressing about humanity. But. That is not all we are. And as writers? We do our best work when we explore the darkness that lies within and expose it to the light. When we seek out the good, the bright, and the ver...

What are 'stage directions', why you don't need them, and how to fix it. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm a Blogger | Vlogger/Youtuber Of course, I'm on Facebook | Twitter...

I think we all know what that means. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm a Blogger | Vlogger/Youtuber Of course, I'm on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | R...

Instead of my expected discussion of different types of strengths being compared to the default of physical strength, the panel these notes were based on veered into magical strength and stayed there. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subsc...

Recognize your limits Reassess Your Goals Recognize Your Needs Give Yourself Credit Practice Gratitude ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm a Blogger | Vlogger/Youtuber Of cour...

Places can be unsafe due to the environment itself, or because of the people in the place. Sometimes? Home is the unsafe place. And it can be unsafe because of external factors, or because of internal ones. And old age is a very unsafe place. When fate is against you, no place is safe. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling...

Explaining gender, ways genre fiction can improve, authors who don't do badly, and things we could see more of. [Aimed at a cis audience - challenging us to do better for those whose gender identities weren't just handed to them at birth] ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode...

A discussion exploring the motivations behind people’s writing and reoccurring themes in one's writing, either intentionally or unintentionally. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction.....

In which Morgan struggles to accept her own limits, acknowledges the truth of being a plantser, the use of novel prep work, discusses writing sprints, and rewards. Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm a Blogger | Vlogger/Yo...

Memoirs are not quite novels, but they are far from biographies. Here are some tips to help you prepare your memoir. Reminiscing can be immersive You have to decide on a voice You should discover a theme 4. Resist holding back Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a...

Some writers are sprinters, some are marathoners, and some are hikers who will reach the end, someday. Finding the pace that works for you, for your current story, for your current life situation is crucial. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends an...

Whether you’ve just decided it’s finally time to write that book you’ve been thinking about on your own or you’ve been bit by the NaNoWriMo bug, starting a novel can be intimidating! It doesn’t matter if you’re a pantser (writing by the seat of your pants), a plotter, or something in between, there’s still stuff you can do to prepare yourself before you start writing. Outlining (it doesn't have to...

Submitting short stories is a LOT different than querying a novel -- even if you're looking for so-called traditional publishing. No query letters Not like a picturebook query Very few allow simultaneous submissions The market varies wildly 5. Reprints are fine! (most places) Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share i...

The past couple of years, I’ve noticed a trend -- in myself. I’ve been wanting to stay home and not deal with going out. [Even BEFORE Covid] But wait, I thought I was an extrovert. My entire identity has fallen into crisis! Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pre...

Sometimes, when you’re stuck at some writing stage for too long, it can be hard to remember why you started this thing in the first place. So, here are the 10 things I love most about being a writer. Exploring new worlds! Meeting new characters! Finding out what happens and why! When you get that turn of phrase. Just. Right Getting to read other writers' works early Helping my friends fine-tune th...

When writing, we all strive to bring our scenes to life, but it’s easy to forget a component. Scenes need action, setting, sensory descriptions, and emotional impact. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad so...

I almost entitled this “Beta-Reading: For Fun and Profit” but… I don’t usually profit. At least not monetarily. Anyhow, here's my technique for beta-reading that seems to keep my writing friends coming back for more. I can't skip line edits (easily) I'll tell you when my eyes glaze over I'll point out inconsitencies I'll say when you break my suspension of disbelief I'll applaud well-phrased sente...

If you’re a writer, at some point between you putting the words down and it going out to its intended audience, you’re probably going to solicit some feedback (and if you don’t, you probably should). But, once you get this feedback -- how should you use it? Read the feedback (and apply Morgan's Rule Of Thirds) Give yourself time to cool off Analyse the feedback/fix the little things as you go Make...

There’s a writing skill that many novelists struggle with. It’s something that read-a-chapter-a-month critique groups often miss: Pacing. We all know that you need to start off with an inciting incident — at least by the end of the first chapter. But after there, it can get a bit fuzzy. Techniques to try: 1 - Beat Sheets 2 - Varying sentence structure 3 - Shuffling scenes Thanks for listening! I'l...

There is a difference between an antagonist and a villain. Your story doesn’t need a villain. However, if you’re going to have one, you should have a memorable one Avoid Under-developed villains If you must use a cliche, add a twist Make sure your villain isn't underpowered Villains have flaws Villains don't have to be evil The villain doesn't have to be there in person 7. The villain can be repre...

Picking a POV can be tricky. The three main things you need to consider are: What are you most comfortable with? What are the genre expectations? and 3. What feels right for the story.\? Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm...

I'll be back next week with more writing tips and writerly musings. Plus, a little more. Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty bad social media addiction... I'm a Blogger | Vlogger/Youtuber Of course, I'm on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinteres...

I never thought it would happen to me. I was arrogant and short-sighted. I thought writer’s block was censoring out bad writing (you know, like rough drafts), an inability to apply butt-to-seat, or thinking you’re going in the wrong direction but not knowing the right one. I didn’t think the blank page could scare me until I decided it was time for me to try something new. Now? I understand. =====...

No matter if your fantasy world is a shifted version of our reality or something totally alien, no matter if you're a planner or a pantser, these tips should work for you. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've got a pretty b...

Different agents and editors want different things. Take these answers with a grain of salt, because, as we all know, if you do it well enough, they'll throw their own guidelines out. ============================================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! And I've go...