Writing – Page 37

Telling the Truth About Art By Lying About Paintings

I’m writing about paintings that don’t exist. Let me back up. I’m writing about an artist whose work has largely been lost. When a trusted mentor read my work, she suggested I write about the artist’s paintings. “Make them up,” she said. I was fascinated and daunted. I’ve since gotten over my fear and haveContinue reading “Telling the Truth About Art By Lying About Paintings”

Telling vs. Showing: A Privilege of the First Person POV

Even though one is not supposed to wear the editor’s hat while writing a first draft, I found myself doing so yesterday, forcing myself to stop and go back and show versus tell. I did this in a couple of places before questioning myself. Was the result of my pruning what I had really envisioned? I alsoContinue reading “Telling vs. Showing: A Privilege of the First Person POV”

Writing As If…Acting, Writing, and Living

You won’t make fun of me, will you, if I tell you I sometimes act out what I’m writing? Usually I only do this in my mind, but if I’m having trouble choreographing a scene, I may well get up and see how it would work, pace it with the dialogue. Sometimes when I amContinue reading “Writing As If…Acting, Writing, and Living”

The Monkey Mind and Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts: It’s All Writing

I’m not writing a dissertation, so you might wonder why I recently picked up a book called Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day by Joan Bolker at the library. Of course it was the word “writing” that drew me. What kept me interested was its intriguing, fresh writing tips. A few months agoContinue reading “The Monkey Mind and Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts: It’s All Writing”

A Writing Checklist

I wrote this recently and shared it with my husband. He asked if he could have a copy, which surprised me, because I didn’t know anyone else would be interested in it. But if any of you find it useful, feel free to make this yours as well. Just if you share it, give meContinue reading “A Writing Checklist”

My Top Ten Tips for Organizing and Writing About Art: A Sneak Peek at my Ebook.

I’d already read Susan Vreeland’s books, and Tracy Chevalier’s wonderful Girl with a Pearl Earring. I fell for Of Human Bondage as well — it remains my favorite novel, even though I did throw it against the wall when I finished it because I was so distressed at Philip’s decision. But it wasn’t until IContinue reading “My Top Ten Tips for Organizing and Writing About Art: A Sneak Peek at my Ebook.”

Published, but not in a “flash”!

When I first became a student with the Spalding MFA in Creative Writing program, I quickly became enamored of flash fiction. It seemed to fit my terse, plain style, and I liked that there was no room in it for over explaining. About my writing: I had never really written a short story until IContinue reading “Published, but not in a “flash”!”

Unmasking the Sprezzatura of Writing: What’s Under My Bed?

If sprezzatura means to express art in such a manner as to convey a supposed effortlessness, then let’s unmask that, at least in regards to my writing. (I say this with much tongue-in-cheekedness; I am not saying my writing is that good, but hey, how else am I gonna work up to what I reallyContinue reading “Unmasking the Sprezzatura of Writing: What’s Under My Bed?”

The Golden Notebook: Organize Your Writing in 2014

If you want more “gold” from your writing in 2014 (be it money or just the satisfaction of seeing more of your ideas captured instead of left to wander off), try using your “golden notebook.” (Disclaimer: I once owned Lessing’s “The Golden Notebook but got rid of it without having read it because it wasContinue reading “The Golden Notebook: Organize Your Writing in 2014”

Julie Brickman’s Two Deserts

Julie Brickman’s Two Deserts draws us into exotic worlds — both foreign and domestic — that slowly reveal to us the unacknowledged and unknown layers of life in and around us all. Brickman’s well-crafted stories expand exponentially with their deft movement, bittersweet insights, and unexpected humor. The book’s titles are often darkly humorous and always intriguing:”The Cop, the Hooker, andContinue reading “Julie Brickman’s Two Deserts”