Category: indulgence

Are You Scared of Bright Shiny Books?

If you’ve been to an art gallery, especially an art gallery showing anything remotely modern or abstract expressionist, you’ve probably heard someone say “Pssh. That looks like something I could have done.” Maybe you’ve said it yourself: “I could have done that.” OK, but you didn’t. Maybe that’s a hum-dinger to ponder. I can’t speak… Continue reading Are You Scared of Bright Shiny Books?

How to Really Transport Your Reader

When we read a story, we get transported to someplace. For this to happen, people talk about the need for the reader to have a willing suspension of disbelief. This phrase came from Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the Romantic writer. “In this idea originated the plan of the ‘Lyrical Ballads’; in which it was agreed, that… Continue reading How to Really Transport Your Reader

Folktales Can Reboot Your Love of Storytelling Craft

The three act structure. The hero’s journey. Ah, fine, whatever. Study them as part of your love of story craft because you love it. Not because they offer the right way to tell a tale. To write a correct story is to write a dull and lifeless story. Correct stories are too safe. For me,… Continue reading Folktales Can Reboot Your Love of Storytelling Craft

Try Writing Pure Nonsense for the Rest of the Day

I’m a freewriting evangelist. I love writing marathons. I have found that the notion of writing without stopping spooks some people. They’re worried that if they do that, they might tap into something. Awaken something profound (and profoundly suppressed) within them. Like… I guess something like the puzzle box in Hellraiser. Freewriting has a lot… Continue reading Try Writing Pure Nonsense for the Rest of the Day