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Don't look back now! (you'll see more if look back later)
Monday, April 19, 2010 4:31 PM

In a semi follow-up to a previous blog about the different methods of writing and constructing drafts, last week I was very very tempted to go back at take a look at past chapters. As I near the end of my book's first draft, I'm starting to see things that need changing and revising or at least further examination. However, I am planning on using the... Read More...

by DMI | with no comments

Filed under: Writing, Revising, deadline, Drafts

Try With A Little Help From Your Friends
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:15 AM

Coming up through the Florida State creative writing program I’ve come to lean heavily on the workshopping process because that is how most writing intensive classes are formatted here. And there is nothing wrong with that. The fact of the matter is you need other people’s opinions because you can’t think of everything yourself and you never know how exactly... Read More...

by DMI | 5 comment(s)

Filed under: Writing, Editing, Workshopping

Moving Forward
Friday, February 13, 2009 12:24 PM

First of all I'd like to thank everyone for reading and leaving comments. My previous entry was my fifteenth which is the minimum number of blogs you must post (all over 250 words) to meet the blogiversity contest rules. I will of course continue to post until time is up to try to get as high a score as possible and make sure I get into finals. The contest... Read More...

by DMI | 5 comment(s)

Filed under: Schedule, Writing, Publication, E-zines, Contest

The Critical "I"
Friday, February 06, 2009 2:27 PM

Writing fiction involves a lot of what I like to call “mental acting.” Often times the protagonist of your story may be similar to you in some ways and there is nothing wrong with this, but not every character in your story should be like you especially since a great deal of the best fiction involves two foil characters. You have to get inside your character... Read More...

by DMI | 4 comment(s)

Filed under: Writing, Character

The Critical Eye
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 3:12 PM

I’ve said numerous times in this blog that you have to read a lot to be able to write a lot. To take this a step further, I think that it is essential for a writer to view what he or she read with what a critical eye, that is to say, while you’re reading be on the look out for things you like and things you dislike. If you see something you like take a mental... Read More...

by DMI | 6 comment(s)

Filed under: Writing, Editing, Ideas, Reading, Criticism

The Sixth Sense Every Writer Wants
Friday, January 30, 2009 2:53 PM

I'm not talking about the sense that there is good story idea lurking about or the ability to sense what isn't working in your story. No, I'm not talking about the impeccable sense of timing that helps pace your story. Alright, I guess there are lots of "senses" a writer might want but what I'm getting at is that sense of accomplishment... Read More...

by DMI | 2 comment(s)

Filed under: Writing, Perseverance, Success, Short Short, Accomplishment

Ideas for Capturing Ideas: The Conundrum of What to Write
Monday, January 26, 2009 4:44 PM

Fear not loyal readers, despite my title’s glowing example, alliteration is not my answer to the question Mary posed regarding getting ideas for stories. On January 18th she responded to my blog “On the Writing Side” with this question: “How do you come up with story ideas so easily? That is what I get stuck on.” First of all, there are dozens of books out there... Read More...

by DMI | 4 comment(s)

Filed under: Beginnings, Inspiration, Writing, Ideas

All Quiet on the Writing Front
Sunday, January 25, 2009 5:14 PM

I’d like to thank everyone who has read my blog and left comments thus far. I really appreciate it, not just because it helps me get ahead with the blogiversity contest, but because it gives me a reason to keep writing these. As someone who wants to see his work in publication it is obviously important to me share my thoughts with people and know that my work... Read More...

by DMI | 6 comment(s)

Filed under: Writing, Publication

Advice From Professionals and Professors: Part II: Writing and Editing
Friday, January 23, 2009 4:09 PM

I've often talked about how I try to write on a schedule. Something I've heard over and over again from professional writers is that you have to write everyday and it helps to write on a schedule. Everyone has to individually figure out when and where they work best. A former graduate student here at FSU told me once, and he had been published several... Read More...

by DMI | 4 comment(s)

Filed under: Schedule, Advice, Writing, Editing

Getting Started (Again)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:22 PM

Step one of this process (or this leg of the process at least) is going to be setting up some sort of writing schedule. It’s important to write everyday, that seems to be a universally recognized fact. If you are going to be a professional writer, you have to write everyday. The 19th century author Jack London was famous for making himself write at least 1,000... Read More...

by DMI | 4 comment(s)

Filed under: Schedule, Library, Writing