Blog Changes

Once again I have decided to make some changes to my blog. As in life, there are times when we reevaluate ourselves and discover that some changes need to be made, so is the case with blogging. I have come up with some ideas of how to expand this blog and make it even better. The first change will be the blog name itself.

After some reflection, I've decided to take it from A Writer's Tales to A Writer's Wings. I think the new title better describes where I am at right now with my writing and blogging. I am in a period of expanding my wings and trying out new areas to see what is the right fit.

Grammar Guru: Words to Avoid

I have always heard that there are certain words that shouldn’t be used or avoided when possible in creative writing. But what exactly are those words? I knew a few of them such as "was" and ly words, but I knew there had to be more, so I did some research and this is what I came up with. Remember this is a guideline only and these words should be avoided most of the time, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use them at all.

Blog Spolight: A Place for Writers

Thanks to a friend, I recently was directed to a great blog on writing called A Place for Writers. Julie Jordon, the blog owner, has a wealth of information on different writing tips and practices including a stellar blog on questions to address when Outlining the Plot of a novel and a simple but powerful blog on Encouragement to fellow writers. She even has a current writing contest running until June 30th. There is a total of 4 categories and each are quick, easy and fun. In fact, you can easily do one of the challenges for a writing exercise, which I already have (I chose contest #3 alternate point of view, the POV of a stethoscope... What fun!). Check it out. Even if you opt not to enter the contest, the information might be inspirational for getting the writing bug going strong.

Understanding the Foundation of Plot

Most writers understand the basic equation that plot equals a story.

Plot = Story

But what is plot exactly and how can you break it down to the point where you can understand each moving part, so that the whole will come together in a moving body of perfection? There are actually three very basic things to know about plot and how it is conceptualized. This is done through 3 elements called idea, concept and premise. These three things are distinctly different from one another, but build upon one another to make the full idea of plot a thing of reality. If we know each of these steps of plot then we can better understand how it is created.

 

Grammar Guru: The LY Rule

It's a habit that the budding writer is apt to make. In fact, many writers can put years into writing without learning a very important rule of a proper writing technique I like to call the ly rule. Have you ever noticed how saturated yours or others works are with words like gladly, fairly, or brightly? I know my own writing for years was a place were all ly words went to die slow and agonizing deaths. It turned into a real grave yard that hit just about every sentence in my writing. You  might be wondering what's the problem. I mean writing is about being descriptive. Someone says that a piece needs to piece more descriptive then you just add a few more ly words, right? Well, not so much.