Marni: Where did the title “The Wisdom of Stones” come from? Brian: I started writing in 2010, and one of the best things I did was to join a writing practice group. During one writing session, the prompt was to write about a collection. I came up with a story about a six-year-old boy named Ben. […]
THE BIG BOLD LIST OF 55 ARCHETYPES Utilizing archetypes as grounding for character creation is a priceless and effective (not to mention time-honored) writing tool. “Using archetypes as a basis for your characters can give them the appearance of weight very quickly, because each type expresses a fundamental pattern that the audience recognizes, and this […]
Query This! by, Lindsey Salatka I did it! I wrote a book. See that item on the top of my list of life goals? Now see me slap a fat check mark next to it. Yippee! Next stop, publishing! Oh, if it were only that easy. I always figured I would self-publish. My life goal […]
As a writing coach, this is what I hear from writers as summer nears: “I’m leaving for Hawaii next week but I am packing my lap top and I plan on ten pages a day!” and yet… Two weeks later at our meeting: “Yeah, I didn’t open the laptop. See there was this volcano, and […]
ZSUZSI’S TOP 3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DECEMBER: ONE: THE ANATOMY OF STORY BY JOHN TRUBY http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Story-Becoming-Master-Storyteller-ebook/dp/B0052Z3M8A/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1450051670&sr=8-1 This book came out in October 2008 and has changed many writers’ approach to the craft. Including mine. Technically, he doesn’t talk about anything new– there are still Characters, Plot, and Theme to think about when it comes to […]
What to do when you find a man sleeping in your car… (Or Ben’s Prayer) This is how it went down. Just a regular Tuesday morning. My husband, Carlos, had to go to L.A. (yeah, that day only) for business and had left crazy early in the morning. So it’s just me and my […]
Interview with Jill Hall 1) What was your inspiration to write the Black Velvet Coat? I tried on a coat at a yard sale, loved it, but thinking it was too fancy passed on it. That night I dreamt about it and early the next morning I knocked on the neighbor’s door and then it […]
I learned a lot while in Sedona this summer. I met with a Native American story teller, a wise shaman, a powerful energy healer and I encountered a racist Jeep-tour guide. I also learned that Kenny Loggins is not Jesus (and vice versa). Apparently there is some protocol to adhere to when you meet […]