Gird your loins grammar geeks! We are about to enter the territory of heated debate known as the Oxford Comma Wars. Why is this humble punctuation mark such a big deal? Is it a dead and gone old-timey rule best to be buried? Let us debate! Continue reading “The Oxford Comma – Is It Dead?”
A third of the population look at a glass containing 50% water and 50% air, and they say the glass is half-full. The next third say it’s half empty. The final third say screw it and grab a drink. Each third have a different point of view.
Perspective is everything.
As authors of our self-created universes, the point of view we choose to tell a story in sets the stage. It is, perhaps, the single most important decision we make because telling the same tale from a different point of view (POV) creates an entirely different novel. Continue reading “Fiction Writing Rule #4: Choose (And Stick With) a Point Of View”
Guys! Guys! Guess what!
It’s Tuesday.
Do you know what that means? Continue reading “5 Ways to Be a More Productive Writer”
You know they think we’re crazy, right? Continue reading “The Writer’s 2016 Guide to Better Writing”
A story isn’t a story without characters. Much like reality, it doesn’t matter how small a person appears because their actions and personality can cause an explosion.
Throughout literature there are stunning examples of deep, multifaceted characters, without which stories would be drab and boring. Take, for example, characters like Sherlock Homes and John Watson whose depth rival that of some real life individuals.
In continuation of our Fiction Writing Series, our next topic of discussion is how to create dimensional characters. Continue reading “Fiction Writing Rule #3: Create Dimensional Characters”
Books are the closest thing to magic. It’s why so many of us nerds love a good novel. Books have the uncanny ability to transport us to new places, introduce us to new people, and take us on unforgettable adventures. But not all books are created equal. Continue reading “Fiction Writing Rule #2: Show, Don’t Tell”
Whether you’re a writer or editor, a little help with proofing is always welcome. Most word processing programs, like Microsoft Word and WordPerfect, come with basic proofreading capabilities. But what if you had access to smarter software? Would you use it? And what if you could use it for free? We’d like to introduce you to a smart software that’s been making our lives easier since 2010. It’s called Grammarly. Continue reading “How to Use Grammarly”
The profession of writing is one of the most underestimated and underappreciated on the planet. How many times have you heard someone say writing is easy? It’s equated with the simplicity of throwing words about a page with the intent of sounding smart, but writing — real writing — is so much more! Continue reading “5 Tips for Improving Your Writing”
I’m going to be honest. I wrote the title for this blog and then promptly fell asleep. It was seven in the morning, and I’d been up all night, plagued with a battery of thought as writers often are, and I was exhausted. I wrote this title, ready to invite you back into my geekside virtual office with a question: do you know what sells? Continue reading “Inner Geek: Finding Inspiration”
A pseudonym, also known as a pen name, is a fictitious or fake name. Pseudonyms have a rich heritage dating back to 1833. Mark Twain was a pen name wielded by the famous American author Samuel Clemens. Theodor Geisel, better recognized as Dr. Seuss, held three pen names; Dean Koontz, a famous novelist, held upwards to eleven! Many an author has opted to use one (or more) for various reasons. It’s perfectly natural to wonder, Should I use a pseudonym? Continue reading “Should I Use a Pseudonym?”
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