Sharon Buchbinder's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing-craft"
Confessions of an Online Writing Course Junkie
At five in the morning or midnight, when normal folks are sleeping, I can be found doing homework. Am I working on another degree? No, I’m enrolled in yet another online writing course. My husband thinks I’m crazy, and I’ve had writing friends suggest that I might just be addicted. I was thinking about starting a twelve-step program and calling it “Cyberstudents Anonymous,” but then I realized it would have to be online and everyone would be writing. What is it about this irresistible urge to be a perpetual student? With four degrees, it’s not as if I need anymore diplomas on my wall. When an online course is announced in emails and on the loops, I’m like Pavlov’s dog, drooling to get started. After enrolling in yet another online course, I decided it was time to do a little reflection, and discovered the top ten reasons why I love online courses. To read more go to http://sharonbuchbinder.com/blog/?p=314
Guest Author Vicki Batman: Whose Head Am I In, Anyway?
I’m excited to have one of the first people I met at the RWA Annual in 2009 in Washington, D.C. You know how you just click with some people? Smart and witty, Vicki Batman got my warped sense of humor. If you’ve never met Vicki, let me introduce you to her now.
Like some of her characters, Vicki has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.
Born in Dallas, a graduate of Texas Tech, she is married to Handsome, has two big boys, two attention-demanding cats, and two adorable poopies.
Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004 she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. Recently, she was awarded the 2010 Robin Teer Memorial Service Award.
Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”
To read more go to http://sharonbuchbinder.com/blog/?p=388
Like some of her characters, Vicki has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.
Born in Dallas, a graduate of Texas Tech, she is married to Handsome, has two big boys, two attention-demanding cats, and two adorable poopies.
Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA, and the DARA, Elements, and RWA-WF chapters. In 2004 she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. Recently, she was awarded the 2010 Robin Teer Memorial Service Award.
Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”
To read more go to http://sharonbuchbinder.com/blog/?p=388
Jana Richards on Plotting and Outlining
Writing an outline for the plot of a novel is a little like planning a trip. It helps you figure out what direction your novel is going to take and what your major plot points are going to be, but still allows room for creativity.
What is outlining?
It’s writing out all the events of your plot from the beginning of your novel until the end. There are many ways to outline. You can do a quick set of notes on one page, write out scenes on index cards, scribble the highlights about each scene on Post-it notes that you can change and move around, or complete comprehensive scene-by-scene analysis that you keep in separate binders. There’s no wrong way to outline, just the right way for each individual writer.
To read some are some reasons for writers to outline their novel before they start writing go to http://bit.ly/vKD6l1
Sharon Buchbinder
RT Book Reviews Nominee for Best Erotic Fiction Book of 2011
www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog
Fireworks for the Mind--Surprising and Sizzling!
What is outlining?
It’s writing out all the events of your plot from the beginning of your novel until the end. There are many ways to outline. You can do a quick set of notes on one page, write out scenes on index cards, scribble the highlights about each scene on Post-it notes that you can change and move around, or complete comprehensive scene-by-scene analysis that you keep in separate binders. There’s no wrong way to outline, just the right way for each individual writer.
To read some are some reasons for writers to outline their novel before they start writing go to http://bit.ly/vKD6l1
Sharon Buchbinder
RT Book Reviews Nominee for Best Erotic Fiction Book of 2011
www.sharonbuchbinder.com/blog
Fireworks for the Mind--Surprising and Sizzling!
The Versatile Blogger Award
Happy New Year!
I’m thrilled to announce that Sandy Wolters has awarded my blog the title of “The Versatile Blogger.” I’d like to thank Sandy for this honor. This blog has grown from being all about me me me! to all about writing. I’m excited when I find new authors with fresh voices in Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Literary and whatever other genres you can think of! And I’m delighted to help my friends launch new releases. I think Klout has pretty much nailed me as a Writing Specialist. I’m always looking for guest authors, so please let me know if you’d to guest post and share their writing.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/uoFK2S
I’m thrilled to announce that Sandy Wolters has awarded my blog the title of “The Versatile Blogger.” I’d like to thank Sandy for this honor. This blog has grown from being all about me me me! to all about writing. I’m excited when I find new authors with fresh voices in Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Literary and whatever other genres you can think of! And I’m delighted to help my friends launch new releases. I think Klout has pretty much nailed me as a Writing Specialist. I’m always looking for guest authors, so please let me know if you’d to guest post and share their writing.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/uoFK2S
Researching the Book–What’s Your Funniest Story?
One of the running jokes we authors have is that if we ever get arrested, our computer browsers will get us in a lot of trouble. Some of us even say, “If I die before you, delete my browser history!”
For me, I think this curiosity and need to find more information dates back to my nerd girl days. When I was a kid, I often acted out my favorite characters exploits. One time, in a Nancy Drew inspired moment, I decided to tie myself up and see if I could get out of the knots. I did. Finally. After a LOT of wriggling and praying my siblings didn’t catch me trussed up like a turkey! That urge for verisimilitude in reading and writing drives me to this day.
To read more, go to http://bit.ly/1p7RcBC
Some Other Child
For me, I think this curiosity and need to find more information dates back to my nerd girl days. When I was a kid, I often acted out my favorite characters exploits. One time, in a Nancy Drew inspired moment, I decided to tie myself up and see if I could get out of the knots. I did. Finally. After a LOT of wriggling and praying my siblings didn’t catch me trussed up like a turkey! That urge for verisimilitude in reading and writing drives me to this day.
To read more, go to http://bit.ly/1p7RcBC
Some Other Child
