Though I hate to do it, sometimes it’s for the best. I’m working on book three of my Ysabel series and was stuck trying to fit in a long scene that I liked, but it overly complicated the story and trying to make it work was pushing a boulder uphill. Once I got rid ofContinue reading “Killing our darlings”
Tag Archives: Writing advice
Establishing a writing practice: time and place- the two biggest obstacles
Raising children, working a job, having relationships, when do we find time to write? A good way to start is to write a mere 15 minutes a day. Those 15 minutes soon will fly by and you won’t want to stop. You’ll feel anxious and irritated when your normal life interrupts your reverie, but that’sContinue reading “Establishing a writing practice: time and place- the two biggest obstacles”
Writing authentically
I read a recent Esquire interview with Michael Keaton and was struck by his comment on being authentic, of his efforts to create something original: “Over the years, I think, people—actors, writers, whatever—lose their frame of reference. Their frame of reference is based on somebody else who did this or did that. Performances. So itContinue reading “Writing authentically”
More writing advice
A writing friend sent me Wired for Story, which is another book about writing. I have a stack of these books; some are filled with helpful advice, others have at least one good thing to say. Wired for Story said something I’ve heard for years, but in a way that I finally understood, and thatContinue reading “More writing advice”
Becoming a character
I’m watching old episodes of the Sherlock Holmes with the incomparable Jeremy Brett and found an interview he gave about how was able to create such a memorable Holmes. He said, “I’m like a sponge, I squeeze the liquid of myself out and draw in the liquid of the creature I’m playing.” It’s the sameContinue reading “Becoming a character”
Signe Kopps 