Mary Davis's Blog
June 13, 2022
New to Writing? FINAL tip #7 of 7!
FINAL WRITING TIP
The most important of all:
"Above All Else, Be Fearless
Starting a book can seem like a monumental undertaking, and sometimes with big dreams, we have the tendency to try and talk ourselves out of them. We fear failing, because we think that’s worse than never trying at all. If you feel the passion to write, don’t let fear stop you. The world needs great stories!" - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
The most important of all:
"Above All Else, Be Fearless
Starting a book can seem like a monumental undertaking, and sometimes with big dreams, we have the tendency to try and talk ourselves out of them. We fear failing, because we think that’s worse than never trying at all. If you feel the passion to write, don’t let fear stop you. The world needs great stories!" - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
June 6, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #6 of 7!
"Look For Step-by-Step Help
As any writer will tell you, the road from an idea to a publish-ready novel is a long one, and it’s easy to get lost along the way.
...
Having an expert offer guidance as you write can keep you on track.
Some writers like to partner with a writing coach so they get personal feedback and support as they go.
...another option might be the Storyteller’s Roadmap at One Stop for Writers. This roadmap breaks the novel-writing process into three parts: planning, writing, and revising. It has step-by-step instructions on what to do as you go, and points you to tools, resources, and articles that will make the job easier."
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
As any writer will tell you, the road from an idea to a publish-ready novel is a long one, and it’s easy to get lost along the way.
...
Having an expert offer guidance as you write can keep you on track.
Some writers like to partner with a writing coach so they get personal feedback and support as they go.
...another option might be the Storyteller’s Roadmap at One Stop for Writers. This roadmap breaks the novel-writing process into three parts: planning, writing, and revising. It has step-by-step instructions on what to do as you go, and points you to tools, resources, and articles that will make the job easier."
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
May 30, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #5 of 7!
"Take a Course or Workshop
Investing in guided or self-guided learning can also kickstart your progress. The community is packed with great teachers. Below are some good options (link at the bottom of this post), but first, if you belong to a writing organization, check to see if they offer members classes for free or at a discount."
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
Investing in guided or self-guided learning can also kickstart your progress. The community is packed with great teachers. Below are some good options (link at the bottom of this post), but first, if you belong to a writing organization, check to see if they offer members classes for free or at a discount."
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
May 23, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #4 of 7!
"Collect a War Chest of Knowledge
We all start with some talent and skill, but to write well we need to train up. ...find writing books with high reviews so you can judge which might be most helpful for your development.
...
Another way to build your knowledge is by subscribing to helpful writing blogs. Bite-sized learning can be perfect for a time-crunched writer.
...
You should also make learning about characters a priority because they drive the story. Getting to know who the people in our stories are and what makes them tick helps us understand what’s motivating them, and that makes writing their actions and behavior easier. Once you have a better handle on plot and character, turn to other storytelling elements and techniques. There’s so much great stuff to learn!"
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
We all start with some talent and skill, but to write well we need to train up. ...find writing books with high reviews so you can judge which might be most helpful for your development.
...
Another way to build your knowledge is by subscribing to helpful writing blogs. Bite-sized learning can be perfect for a time-crunched writer.
...
You should also make learning about characters a priority because they drive the story. Getting to know who the people in our stories are and what makes them tick helps us understand what’s motivating them, and that makes writing their actions and behavior easier. Once you have a better handle on plot and character, turn to other storytelling elements and techniques. There’s so much great stuff to learn!"
- Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
May 16, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #3 of 7!
"Join a Writing Group
One of the best things you can do at the start of this journey is find others on the writer’s path. A community of writers puts you in touch with those who have the same goal, meaning you can learn from and support one another. Plus, having creatives in your circle helps to keep you accountable, meaning your butt stays in the chair and words get written." -Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
One of the best things you can do at the start of this journey is find others on the writer’s path. A community of writers puts you in touch with those who have the same goal, meaning you can learn from and support one another. Plus, having creatives in your circle helps to keep you accountable, meaning your butt stays in the chair and words get written." -Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
May 9, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #2 of 7!
"Read and Reread
Reading is so enjoyable we tend to forget how each story is a treasure trove of education on what makes a book good, bad, or off-the-charts great. So read widely, thinking about what makes each story compelling.
...
Studying where you fell under the storyteller’s spell can help you see how you can do the same for your readers." - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
Reading is so enjoyable we tend to forget how each story is a treasure trove of education on what makes a book good, bad, or off-the-charts great. So read widely, thinking about what makes each story compelling.
...
Studying where you fell under the storyteller’s spell can help you see how you can do the same for your readers." - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
May 2, 2022
New to Writing? Tip #1 of 7!
"1. Write
Sure, this seems obvious, but starting can be paralyzing. We worry about committing our ideas to the page because what if they resemble some four-year-old’s Cheerios-and-glue “masterpiece”? Well, guess what? They might, and that’s okay. Great storytelling takes time, and if that didn’t put off Stephen King, Susanne Collins, or Nora Roberts, it shouldn’t stop us, either." - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
Sure, this seems obvious, but starting can be paralyzing. We worry about committing our ideas to the page because what if they resemble some four-year-old’s Cheerios-and-glue “masterpiece”? Well, guess what? They might, and that’s okay. Great storytelling takes time, and if that didn’t put off Stephen King, Susanne Collins, or Nora Roberts, it shouldn’t stop us, either." - Angela Ackerman, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeautho...
April 25, 2022
Writing Tip #15: Immersing the Reader (Part 3)
Minimize Internal Dialogue
"Notice how I said minimize—not cut—internal dialogue. Novels can and should include internal dialogue. There are times where, without it, the reader would be lost.
...
But it’s important to imagine your scenes like a coil that you are working to tighten, word by word. Each time we step away from dialogue or external action, that coil threatens to lose tension.
...
Some questions to ask as you reevaluate your own usage of internal dialogue:
*It is otherwise impossible to show what’s been told via action and/or dialogue?
*Does it let us know feelings or thoughts the character is hiding from everyone else?
*Is it brief?
That last one is crucial. The longer internal dialogue goes, the more that coil you work to tighten starts to unwind. Author Tim Wynne Jones has referred to long swaths of internal dialogue as Pause Button Violations. Within an active scene, it’s as though the author hits the pause button on all action and dialogue to allow for the internal dialogue. The pause is unnaturally long given the fact that it sits inside an active scene, and can oftentimes be done in a far shorter way or be done using dialogue and action on the page instead."
- Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
"Notice how I said minimize—not cut—internal dialogue. Novels can and should include internal dialogue. There are times where, without it, the reader would be lost.
...
But it’s important to imagine your scenes like a coil that you are working to tighten, word by word. Each time we step away from dialogue or external action, that coil threatens to lose tension.
...
Some questions to ask as you reevaluate your own usage of internal dialogue:
*It is otherwise impossible to show what’s been told via action and/or dialogue?
*Does it let us know feelings or thoughts the character is hiding from everyone else?
*Is it brief?
That last one is crucial. The longer internal dialogue goes, the more that coil you work to tighten starts to unwind. Author Tim Wynne Jones has referred to long swaths of internal dialogue as Pause Button Violations. Within an active scene, it’s as though the author hits the pause button on all action and dialogue to allow for the internal dialogue. The pause is unnaturally long given the fact that it sits inside an active scene, and can oftentimes be done in a far shorter way or be done using dialogue and action on the page instead."
- Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
April 18, 2022
Writing Tip #14: Immersing the Reader (Part 2)
"Eliminate Time Words
Yes, it’s important to orient your reader with passage-of-time phrases, particularly when there’s a gap in time to account for (the next day, later that evening, the following week, etc.). But in terms of time movement within an active scene, consider cutting words like then, next, after that, finally, and when.
Example: When they climb into the car, their face is scrunched up in anger.
Instead, try: They climb into the car with their face scrunched up in anger.
Example: As soon as I walk into the house, I jog upstairs and then answer my phone.
Instead, try: I walk into the house, jog upstairs, and answer my phone." - Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
Yes, it’s important to orient your reader with passage-of-time phrases, particularly when there’s a gap in time to account for (the next day, later that evening, the following week, etc.). But in terms of time movement within an active scene, consider cutting words like then, next, after that, finally, and when.
Example: When they climb into the car, their face is scrunched up in anger.
Instead, try: They climb into the car with their face scrunched up in anger.
Example: As soon as I walk into the house, I jog upstairs and then answer my phone.
Instead, try: I walk into the house, jog upstairs, and answer my phone." - Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
April 11, 2022
Writing Tip #13: Immersing the Reader (Part 1)
"Remove Filter Verbs
...Filter verbs (sometimes called distancing verbs) are sensory verbs like look, smell, hear, taste, feel, think. (Note: variations on these words also count, such as see, listen, notice, wonder, etc.).
Example: He smelled maple syrup and thought of the last time Dad took him to breakfast.
Instead, try: The sweetness of maple syrup took him back to that booth at the diner, sitting across from Dad.
Example: She peered into her boss’ empty office and wondered why he was gone so much lately.
Instead, try: Her boss’ office was empty yet again.
See the difference? We are inside the characters’ senses in a far more bold and confident way."
- Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
...Filter verbs (sometimes called distancing verbs) are sensory verbs like look, smell, hear, taste, feel, think. (Note: variations on these words also count, such as see, listen, notice, wonder, etc.).
Example: He smelled maple syrup and thought of the last time Dad took him to breakfast.
Instead, try: The sweetness of maple syrup took him back to that booth at the diner, sitting across from Dad.
Example: She peered into her boss’ empty office and wondered why he was gone so much lately.
Instead, try: Her boss’ office was empty yet again.
See the difference? We are inside the characters’ senses in a far more bold and confident way."
- Marissa Graff, https://writershelpingwriters.net/202...
