So, I'm contemplating my Hitman in Hell novel (as one does), and realizing that I actually have a lot going on in here. And maybe I don't need (yet another) subplot, but I just need to weave the emotional journeys of my characters in with the concurrent plots of (a) getting out, and (b) fomenting rebellion ( Read more... )

And they are assigning... homework.

This week's episode is on idea generation, and the homework is this ( Read more... )

When I wrote the novelthing, I did it completely by the seat of my pants. The structure was pure instinct, and very little in the way of notes ever got written down or saved. So when I needed the synopsis, I went through it and did bullet-pointed sentences of basic Plot ( Read more... )

And I shall post one of the results I wrote here for your entertainment, seeing as I haven't done a snippet in awhile.

One of the lectures was on "How to Scare People" with the handsome and hard-working Dan Wells. If you haven't read Dan's books, you should be, because damn. So he pointed out that you need to give the reader time to concoct the ( Read more... )

Once I finish this ridiculous project, I will, of course, begin edits. This goes without saying ( Read more... )

Is that I need to do a massive re-write of the meeting scene between my protag and my preacher and I DUN WANNA. I've already written it, but I need to go back and re-do it because then I'll be able to make that snippet I posted on Sunday actually resonate instead of lie on the page like a dead and smelly carp ( Read more... )

have announced a scholarship for the very nifty retreat they're holding in June of next year. I'll be attending this thing, along with 29 other people, so if any of you budding writers out there are interested in attending, get your submission packet together and apply already ( Read more... )

So, the Writing Excuses folks are having a writers' retreat next year, in June. I've registered for it (after madly refreshing the page from 10am my time on and talking the Hubby into a loan, since I only had half the money saved up for it, so I've worked out a payment plan with him). ...and it sold out in twenty minutes. WOW ( Read more... )

Okay, so we saw "Brave" today, and it was awesome. Beautiful animation, fantastic story, hilarious and poignant, with a good lesson in there about trying to "fix" people by taking shortcuts. Bring a hankie, and stay for a scene after the credits. The Boy loved it, although the Hubby didn't like it as much as we did ( Read more... )