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Did You Write It Down?
Another Nanowrimo is coming to an end, that’s the national novel writing month, were you a part of it this year? I typically spend the month blogging about writing, I didn’t this year, partially because I was writing. However I wanted to take a moment and speak to those who desire to write. Are you interested in writing? Perhaps you’ve lost the passion to write your story, or are just facing obstacles completing it? If you are struggling with writing I have a few suggestions for you. The first and most important is that you are not alone. Many of us fought for years to complete our first book, it…
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Writing What You Know, Writing What You Research
Know that you know what you want to write about, your writing idea, it’s time to ask a few more questions. The first is a researching, and not a challenging question. I say this because, as I said before, you don’t have to know everything about a subject, to know something about a subject. In that mindset, what do you know about the subject. For example, in my most passionate column are my faith, my family, friends, writing, and art. However, I’m just a parent of a three year old so my knowledge about parenting is minimal. That is not to say that other parents of toddlers can not write…
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Finding Your Writing Idea
I would like to talk to you about finding your writing idea, but first I’d like to introduce you to someone. He was called The Human Joke Machine, Maury Amsterdam could come up with a joke almost instantly. Though most people know him from the Dick Van Dyke Show, he had a full career. Maury began as a straight man to his brother’s routine, which explains his wonderful comedy timing. In comedy a straight man is vital, because they understand timing. While a brilliant comedian, Maury was also a savvy businessman in the business side of show business, and the stock market. He also was a skilled cellist, along with…
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Writing Methods
Method is defined as a procedure, technique, or system. Whether it’s a daily routine, a technique you begin with, or a system that you have set up, your writing method can help you to be successful. Think of a method as a writing habit. Just as a habit can be instrumental in changing your life, a writing method can transform your writing. As with a habit, a writing method can take many forms, and apply to a broad spectrum of people. One of the most successful methods I have seen is to write daily. This practice engages your mind, builds your writing muscle, and furthers your writing goals. An advanced…
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What Type Of Writer Are You?
There are numerous types of writers out there, understanding a few of them may help determine which you are, or would like to be. When I say type, in this instance, I’m not referring to genre. I’m speaking more to the mindset of the writer, and the methods they may use. There is the topical writer. Someone who is inspired to write about current events, and to support a point of view. These writers are on a timetable defined by the topic and corresponding events surrounding them. The urgency of the topic helps to engage them into completing their writing project. Another type of writer is the passionate writer. This…
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Take Notes
When someone says take a note, what image comes to mind? For me, it’s of either a physical or digital means of writing down words. Artists make notes too, but not always with words. At times they’ll make visual notes. They’ll draw a sketch, make a study, or do a quick painting in preparation for another. Musicians make notes, but not always lyrically. It may be an audio note of a melody, or the chords and notes used for the melody. Some songwriters and musicians will record audibly the entire song before every writing down a word. Sculptors and architects both may make a physical model of a larger piece.…
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Art Unboxed Do Something Different
I’ve heard artists like Raymond Everett Kinstler, Michael Shane Neal, and Eric Rhoads all say something very important. If you are a portrait painter primarily, your portraits will be enhanced by painting landscapes, and vice versa. In our Art Unboxed post today, let’s talk about starting to Do Something Different. In every walk of life, whether in leadership, or in another field I’ve heard this same basic advice. As a reader, if your interest generally lies in a handful of subjects, experts encourage you to read something totally different. As in art, this jumpstarts your thinking in respect to both creativity and perspective. This practice, when applied to art and…
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Art Unboxed What’s In Your Songbook?
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Writing And The Corral
On this date, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday participated in the Gunfight At The O.K. Corral in 1881. What does that have to do with your writing journey, quite a bit actually. Did you know it only lasted for thirty seconds? Did you know Wyatt Earp wasn’t the main figure of the gunfight? He was there, but his brother Virgil was Town Marshall. Plus, it wasn’t actually at the O.K. Corral, but on Fremont street six doors away. Again, what does all this have to do with writing? Because it became famous, not due to the reports of the Earp family, or the Clantons, but a writer named Stuart Lake.…
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The Application Of Writing Part Two
We began yesterday by talking about the application of writing, and I’d like to consider that today as well. This morning, I would like to look at the definition as it relates to writing tools. We call a word processing program an application. We also call the practical conclusion of a piece of writing an application. It can be both the tool used to carve it out, and the results gained from it. I mention the two together because, one is designed to serve the other. Some will write on a laptop, tablet, or desktop. Others will write on legal pads, napkins, or use a voice recorder. The tool used…
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Ready Set Write
In ten days, this year’s National Novel Writing Month, known as Nanowrimo will begin. Each year, thousands of people begin this thirty day challenge with the dream of writing a book. Some complete their first novel, others begin a writing journey that will lead to the completion of their first book. As someone who has written over thirty books myself, their dream excites me. I would not only like to applaud them on their journey, but would like to help guide you on yours. Have you always dreamed of writing a book, or do you feel like you have some knowledge that would benefit others? If the answer to either…
