Category Archives: writing advice

Tuesday Tips on (What a Surprise!) Writing

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So I grabbed a stack of writer magazines to have on hand while I was waiting around last week (after what I’m calling “The Great Mom Fall of ’11”). And I happened to pick up two Writer’s Digests, both with the list of 101 Best Websites. One issue was from 2010, the other 2009.

I recognized most of these websites; they’re still around and going strong. Many of these best websites I’ve already discussed and passed along. And then I saw an unfamiliar one about contests and thought, I’ll just check this one out: Creative Writing Contests.

If you’ve clicked on it, you may have had the same second thought as I had. Hmmmm…the last post was in April. What happened? Had a cataclysmic earthquake swallowed up the admin? Did a truck barrel through his office where he posted daily updates? Had zombies busted through the door and eaten him? Well, you know, the usual horrors that happen to us went through my mind.

Or maybe his wife just had a baby. The point is, maybe you should let a trusted someone know how to post on your blog in case zombies eat you.

Perhaps my imagination went a little wild because I’d been over at this writing prompt generator. There’s something about a dancing pencil that I can’t resist. So I checked out a few of the prompts. If you’re having trouble with whatever you’re working on, try writing something completely different. Just for fun. Just to get some creative juices flowing. You’ll come back to your purposeful writing refreshed and ready to go.

Finally, I saw this reference site for IPL (internet public library), where all kinds of frequently asked questions are answered. And if your FAQ is not there, you can ask a librarian and off he/she will go to get your answer! Isn’t that exciting? Haven’t you always wondered what was on Carl Jung’s tombstone?

Maybe that’s just me. Still, research goes hand in hand with writing, whether you’re penning historical fiction or just a short essay. Check your facts, and check them quickly starting with a reliable resource like ipl2.

I might ask them a question I’ve been wondering about for a long time: If the zombies eat everyone (or turn everyone else into a zombie), how long will the zombies go on? I mean, really. How long can a zombie survive if a zombie’s already dead? It’s a real brain buster. (Ugh. Sorry about that.)

Thanks! I Needed That, Marcus Sakey

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Here’s the thing I love about Twitter: I find all kinds of excellent writerly stuff. The other day, I came across Marcus Sakey’s post, How To Knock Yourself Out of the Game. He included six ways to make sure you don’t mess up your publishing chances.

Now, I’m sure along the way, I’ve heard most of this advice before. None were earth-shattering, mind-blowing tips to success. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t forget the basics, the simple stuff, as I go merrily writing along.

The first tip, the VERY FIRST tip, slapped me upside the head: Start at the Beginning and Write to the End. Basically, Mr. Sakey made the following point. Don’t get derailed right in the middle of the book you’re writing and start another book. Finish what you start.

So easy. But oh, my. Writers (like me) like to think we’re different. Writers (like me) like to follow our own rules and make it work. And I was this close (I’m holding up my hand, squeezing a smidgen of space between two fingers) to setting the book I’m working on aside and starting the one I’ve been daydreaming about for the last few weeks. Because it seems like such a good idea!

But maybe it seems like such a good idea because it’s new and sparkly, not the old idea that makes me gnash and grind my teeth, trying to get it right. But anything worth doing, is worth doing right. And finishing.

So thanks, Marcus Sakey, I needed that reminder. I apologize for not recognizing your name. But now that I know who you are, I promise to read one of your books. Because you had some fine advice there, over on your website. Something tells me you’re a very fine writer.