(Continued from Part 1)
Some writers are blessed with an abundance of ideas for future stories.
I am not one of those writers, to my great and ongoing dismay.
Tag Archives: How to write
How to Build a Historical Fiction Plot: A Guide/Reminder for You/Me
When I wrote my first historical novel, I made all the mistakes.
Not just those pertaining to good writing in general—and I made those big time—but also those specific to historical fiction in particular.
How Do You Write a Book?
I’m always taken aback when a non-writer is impressed by the act of writing a novel.
In last week’s post, I wrote about my passion for writing and how, in reality, my devotion to it presents as rather obsessive and possibly a little pathetic.
The Evil That Men/Women/Writers Do
Time for my final burning writing question.
I’ve been answering burning writing questions that readers of my blog submitted as part of the celebration of my 10th writing birthday, which took place back on February 12.
What’s in a (Historical Place) Name?
Previously I blogged about my efforts in coming up with fictional surnames for the characters in my historical fiction WIP.
These names had to be Anglo-Norman in origin, and involved me increasing my French vocabulary, researching Norman toponymy, and a ton of trial and error to create nice-looking names.
What’s in a (Historical Character) Name?
I’m continuing to answer the burning questions about writing as part of my 10th writing birthday celebration.
Previously, I answered a question from my good friend, Lydia. But there was a second question that she put before me:
How do you come up with interesting character names in your work?
The Ultimate Balancing Act: Your Work, Personal & Writing Lives
Back in February (on the 12th, the 10th, who even really knows?), I had my 10th writing birthday.
A writing birthday is something I commemorate to mark the day I decided to take a professional attitude toward my writing, in pursuit of eventual publication.
To my knowledge, the writing birthday is something I invented. I’m not 100% clear on the actual date, but most years observe it on February 12.
How to Write Shorter
I overwrite everything.
For a long time, this has been my way in every form of writing that I do, from emails to work memos, from “short” stories to “short” novels.
On the Horseshoe Theory of Plotting vs. Pantsing
It’s one of the first questions writers ask each other upon meeting for the first time:
Are you a plotter…
(outliner)
(architect)
…or a pantser
(discovery writer)
(gardener)?
More Adventures in Method Writing (or, About That Time I Fell Off My Bike Due to Black Ice)
My right knee was covered in road rash. My left thigh is still sporting a huge, multi-hued bruise.
(When a bruise actually shows up on a black person, you know it must be bad.)
Anyone who’s read my blog for while knows that I ride my bicycle a lot.
I’m a cycle-commuter – I ride 8km roundtrip to work every day, as well as on various errands and social outings in and around Vancouver, where I live. With the proper outer layers, Vancouver weather is rideable 95% of the year.
A Frame Around Infinity 