There are a lot of conventions in writing. An entire industry exists to train authors in these conventions, with the promise of creating the next best-seller. Another industry exists that teaches how to break the conventions for the same goal. Logically, both approaches can’t be right. So what is the poor, struggling wordsmith to do? …
Although I haven’t lived by the rhythms of a school year for ages, I still find myself frittering away the first days of summer vacation. Chalk it up to the power of suggestion. My neighbors with children are planning fun activities that are definitely a break from the school year routine, and I feel I …
The Value of A Summer Reading List by Lani Longshore Read More »
I nearly got creamed by a carpenter bee today. I was heading out to the back yard through the garage and she was intent on reaching the honeysuckle. She and I both flinched—I probably flinched more—but that was the extent of our interaction. It was a wonderful reminder that I should be as focused on …
I was in a discussion with other writers about the idea of payoff for the reader. Our readers expect something in return for opening our books. I expect writers to spend some time thinking about what I might see in the promise of the first pages, in the back cover copy, and in the emotional …
Some days are best spent hiding from the world and making as few decisions as possible. You know the ones – the days when you wait for the stop sign to turn green, or you forget to look at the electronic pad at the grocery checkout so don’t see that it’s been asking you to …
February is the month where I discover which of my plans for the new year are actually sustainable. I’m usually starting to eat healthier because I’ve finally reached the end of my stash of holiday treats. I’m able to exercise more because it is getting lighter in the mornings and I can force myself out …
Keeping Your Writing Resolutions by Lani Longshore Read More »
I generally don’t have much success meditating my way out of a creative block. I don’t have much luck with reminder programs or multi-workbook systems that claim to ease a writing logjam, but I know why those don’t work. I can’t figure out why meditation doesn’t work for my writer’s block. “Self,” I said, “what …
For writers, November is the season of Thanksgiving and NaNoWriMo. I usually think of these events separately, but this year I’m putting them together. Not that I’m doing NaNo, but I always use the month to consider my writing goals (and, by extension, my writing schedule). This year, what with the pandemic sorta kinda maybe …
Award-winning novelist and TVW member Ann Parker writes occasional blog posts about the history of American slang. I’m constantly surprised by slang that sounds old but is really quite new, and by those words that sound current but have been around for donkey’s years. Tracing the lineage of ordinary words can occupy a pleasant afternoon …
At the last Tri-Valley Writers Social Space Zoom meeting we talked about how some of us have stopped reading an author we love because the protagonist doesn’t seem to learn from the past. It’s not a trivial question, because I am as guilty as the next reader of wanting my favorite characters to change, learn, …
Character Development In A Series by Lani Longshore Read More »
