For the longest time, I've blogged about how paying attention to the small things in life is what truly matters. Especially when it comes to novelists and memoirists. In fact, pretty much all kinds of writers. Now I've learned there's actually a term I can use to refer to these small things. It's called "attention … Continue reading Writers need “attention collectibles” to write well #1 — Intro
I tell myself it's not personal. I tell myself they genuinely want to help, even inspire, other fledgling writers. But I can't help it. As a writer, I take it personally when other writers publicly pontificate. It's one thing to share with readers your journey to publication and financial success as a writer. It's another … Continue reading When writers pontificate, I take it personally
Four years ago, I completed an online memoir writing course where my coach urged us to drop writing prompts and exercises like morning pages. Instead, we should focus on intentional (purposeful) writing each time we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. At about the same time, I learned what morning pages were (random, … Continue reading One writer’s return to writing morning pages
Last week, I wrote shamefacedly about C S Lewis, a writing hero of mine. Even though I never read any of his works all the way through. As shocking and embarrassing as that post was -- calling a writer my hero when I've never read his works cover to cover -- it can't beat today's … Continue reading My “Writing Heroes” #6 – Those I’ve Never Read (Part 2)!
In my final piece on this mini-series about podcasts, I really hope I've saved the best for last! For those new here, please feel free to visit my previous write-ups on this series. But if you haven't the time, it's okay too. Because this is the one that really speaks to how and why I … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #4/4
Three weeks ago I started this podcast mini-series by introducing two categories of podcasts that inspire me to write. I then followed it up with another entry a week later about categories three and four. Today I'm going to share another category of inspiring podcasts. But before I do, I have to explain what motivates … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #3/4
In a previous post, I talked about the joys of learning through listening to audio books and podcasts. And how it's a match made in heaven when you combine them with conventional reading. Of course, the joy is ultimately in the learning, no matter the medium of input. For it's in the learning that one's … Continue reading Podcasts that inspire me to write #1/4
You're back! Great. Thanks for returning to the second part of this mini-series on film reviews. (If you're new here though, you might want to read Part 1 first) Last week I stated that the act of writing film reviews can be an excellent training ground for aspiring writers to hone their writing craft for … Continue reading Film reviews — a way to shape the writing craft (Part 2)
I've been pondering the power and place of film reviews ever since I took up a film criticism and analysis module nearly a decade ago, on my way to completing a Mass Comm Masters. Back then I took up the module for the simple fact that I, like millions of other folks around the world, … Continue reading Film reviews — a way to shape the writing craft (Part 1)
When I think about a recent line I read, I can't help but pump a fist in the air and say a definitive YES! In the novel “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” (which was made into a film I recently reviewed), co-authors Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows had one of their … Continue reading How “flit-reading” among books inspired me to write
