The Picky Pen
Considering Word Choice
Previously, we talked about the need to vary sentence structure to keep your writing from sounding repetitive. In that…
October 22, 2024-
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Guest PostsThe Absent Author
“You’ve drawn back,” that familiar voice whispered to my heart. I tried to shrug off the nudge. I knew…
October 19, 2023 -
Writing for YAHow to Write the Opening Scene: Infusing Emotional Connection From Page One
I had a conversation recently with one of my writing friends. She wanted to talk about how to infuse…
July 27, 2022 -
Mastering Middle GradeMarching to Their Own Drum – Writing at a Pace Middle Grade Readers Love
Middle grade books are set apart from other genres by a few things. We’ve talked about these in other…
March 16, 2022 -
Guest PostsReader, I…? Writing in the First Person
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), the character Atticus Finch says, “You never really understand a person…
September 24, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Write Like a Kid
When your critique partners tell you (more than once) your middle grade fiction sounds too adult, how do you…
August 16, 2020 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's LifeHey, you! Can you hear me?
The other day in my Interpersonal Communication class, we talked about “acoustic space,” which is the distance your voice…
December 6, 2018 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)Your Voice
Last month I mentioned the ultimate goal of every writer, whether experienced or a beginner—we want our audience to…
July 29, 2018 -
Talking CharacterAre Your Characters Too Consistent?
Do you always tell the truth? Do you use the same tone and vocabulary when speaking to your friends…
September 20, 2017 -
Talking Character
Give Your Character Attitude
Dig deep and you’ll find attitude, and when you find attitude, you find voice. ~ James Scott Bell in…
August 20, 2017 -
Talking Character
Developing Your Character’s Voice
I was once in a bus full of high school students when I heard a boy behind me read…
July 19, 2017 -
Blogging BasicsWhat’s Your Blogging Personality?
Remember the insecure days of adolescence? We changed looks, styles, and personalities as we tried to figure out this important…
September 1, 2015
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