Here’s a list of writing quotes that I’ve found inspiring, motivating and thought-provoking over the years. These little snippets of wisdom can help remind you of the long and beautiful tradition of which you’re now a part! Writing Quotes ‘Songbirds do not study in a conservatory.’ – Saul Bellow ‘The only time a human being… Read More
“Show, don’t tell,” was what I was taught at school. You, too? Showing is usually defined as relating the story through descriptions of the character’s feelings, sensations, perceptions, and thoughts. Telling, on the other hand, is a straight-forward (and usually far more succinct) expression of actions, characteristics, and backstory. Here’s a simple example of… Read More
Mr. Walker’s job was to rewrite people’s backstories. He had started out forging documents, then moved on to inventing anecdotes for politicians, scripting dates and interviews, that sort of thing. Now every character was clamouring for his services. ‘The whole thing’s a fiction, anyway,’ he said. We were in his office. It was a dark… Read More
Character flaws are an interesting topic; far more involved than I had at first realised! The other day, I was sitting in the Lady Writers League study, drafting a Heroine Frame for myself — a Heroine Frame, in case you don’t know, is our one-page framework for character development — when Sir George appeared at… Read More
Ever since she realised the power of her imagination, she had been doing this: thinking something up, and travelling forward in time to find it. Today it was a new novel by her favourite author. She hadn’t asked him to write it — in fact, she hadn’t mentioned her desire to anyone. She had simply… Read More
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