Said and Read
Words fascinate me. Their origins, their meanings, their evolution — all of that interests me, and has for as long as I can remember. Words are the building blocks of thought, and the pathway to other minds. They give us a way to externalize the complex and ephemeral thoughts and feelings that make each of us unique in the history and future of the world. In this blog, I’ll share my exploration of (and enthusiasm for) words, language, and communication. I’ll try for a good mix in trivia, tips, and observations.
Punctuation Marks & Traffic Signs
I’ve been in the car a lot lately. In fact, almost all of my writing time has been spent driving. I always hope that those hours in the car could be good thinking time for fiction planning, but they just aren’t. Deep thinking and hurtling along a road at seventy miles...
A Word for Home
House, home, dwelling, residence… I’ve been thinking about the nuances of these words and why the distinctions matter.
The Story Begins at Midnight
Beginnings and endings are important inflection points in stories and in life, but the significance depends on context and perspective.
Writer or Organized Squirrel?
False starts are part of my creative process, and they sometimes generate material I wish I could use. The trick is keeping track of where I saved those unused possibilities.
The Dreaded Blank Page
Not knowing how to begin is no excuse for writerly procrastination. Here are two of my favorite ways to get myself unstuck.
Writing, Weeding, and Artificial Intelligence
Writing takes effort, but that’s a big part of the satisfaction. Even if we can automate all the hard work, should we?
Character-Driven Fiction: Perspective & Empathy
Character-driven fiction can change the way we see the world by helping us practice looking from a different perspective. It’s possible in any genre.
The Technical Edit: Five Tips for Finding & Fixing Tiny Flaws
In the final installment of this mini-series on self-editing for authors, learn how to catch the little mistakes in your writing.
The Style Edit (continued): Word Search
Part 4 of the self-editing for authors mini-series continues with some ways writers can use the search function to improve style.
The Style Edit: The Sound of Style
Part 4 of self-editing for authors touches on how listening to your work can help you refine your writing style.
