Some writers keep a file of plot ideas, or characters they want to explore. Some have whole scenes written, waiting for the right project to wrap around them. I have a list of titles waiting for a story. Some come from placards. Museums are great places to get title ideas – I found Nodding Onion …
Where did all the commas go, long time passing? Where did all the commas go-o, long time ago? Where did all the commas go? Gone to hyphens every one. When will they ever learn; when will they e-e-ver learn? Elaine Schmitz wrote that for our critique group after I sent them this quote from the …
Where have all the commas gone by Lani Longshore Read More »
“Albert,” I said, “I wrote up a sketch from our conversation about your experiences during the 70s. I don’t want to overstep, but if you’re okay with it, I’ll type it up and email it to you so you can take a look at it.” Albert laughed, “I might I steal it.” “That’d be great …
At the December CWC meeting, several of us got to talking about characters. In particular, character voice and how to keep each character separate, different, unique. Several days later as wrapping paper flew; a common theme emerged in my residence. With a baby girl celebrating her first birthday and Christmas, the play area was awash …
A new year is a good time to give thanks, and I give thanks to literature. After all, I owe my existence to a novel. My mother’s people are Russian pacifists. Late in the 19th century their commitment to peace clashed with the Tsar’s commitment to a large army, with predictable results. Leo Tolstoy was …
The Count, the Quakers, the Queen, and me by Lani Longshore Read More »
I stole someone’s grocery cart this week; didn’t notice until I got to the checkout line and my reusable grocery bags weren’t there. A pleasant and efficient clerk found my bags in an empty, unattended cart. I thanked him, paid for my groceries, and left. Once home, I discovered I had bought someone else’s breakfast …
Character development through humiliation by Lani Longshore Read More »
Great news, technology is booming. Writers have more options than ever before to get their writing out there. The first step, getting the written words into a format that can be submitted, shouldn’t be the hardest step. Voice recognition software is one tool that can increase a writer’s productivity. If you are partially fluent in …
The publication of Mark Twain’s autobiography reminded me of how quickly the world is changing. Twain wanted to write honestly, so willed that this book not be published until 100 years after his death. In a Twitter world, all I could think was, “Filters. What a quaint notion.” I blog, and subscribe to a couple …
Mark Twain mind, Twitter world by Lani Longshore Read More »
When lighting a candle isn’t an option, should we curse the dark or learn to write with the lights off? I’m not the only writer who is struck with wonderful ideas at the most inconvenient times. The more disciplined among us actually stop what they’re doing and write notes. I am not so disciplined, especially …
I am not a tortured artist. My life has been mostly free from drama, and I was raised to keep it that way. But I write science fiction; in my stories, when a stranger comes to town, it’s usually a very strange stranger. For me to create characters that are believable outsiders, I have to …
