Category Archives: WRITING

I’ve just spent a bit of time reading some of my weblog from its initiation two years ago, scanning here and there to watch the progress towards some high inspired times and the prolificality (remember that?) with which I wrote … Continue reading → Continue reading →

As I’d hoped, Steve Ersinghaus has expanded on my post on the idea of getting out of character and getting into new character in enabling a writer to go beyond his own experience and values. It is all such a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

We’re fortunate to have an English Professor numbering among our little writers group, and a point was made at the night’s meeting of stretching beyond ourselves to create character; to become (as is necessary) someone we might write about that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Ah, we have more voice than one in our writer’s mind, though I sought, thought I found truth in a whisper unraveled through time and practice. Yes, I’ve grown a bit weird as I age–quickly through dedicated study in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I suppose style (of the writer) ecompasses the elements of narrative structure, voice, story, etc.  It is the addition of learned skills as a refinement to whatever basic talent with which a writer may naturally be blessed. In reading some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I saw an old man in the city the other day.  His face carved to gauntness, his grey beard long and unkempt but full face with watered down sky eyes staring out and no mouth I could see but an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Seems I am back to my opening line syndrome, despite the fact that I have incorporated planning into my learned skills.  I may have a better idea where a story is going, but there ain’t a damn thing I can … Continue reading → Continue reading →

By what pale moon does the good lady hunt her mirrored pools?  By what thin light does her reflection know the beauty?  Or does Diana seek the dodging of the fox, strength of black haired bear or speed of stag?  … Continue reading → Continue reading →

The more I try to learn of human character, the more I wonder at the need or justification for the fictional character with body, soul, emotions and those almighty conflicts.  I am resisting a gradual growing tendency to see that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

A post at The Great Lettuce Head on Alice Munro has me rethinking yet again about where my own writing is going, and why it is perhaps stalling at the stop signs.  With quite a bit of Munro ready to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Been thinking about my long-sought-after-and-thought-I-found-it-voice in writing.  And while voice is usually considered to be that of the narrator in fiction, it also may contain that of the author I would think, although that may be considered style rather than … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Our fall/winter issue of otto no. 2 is out, and as soon as I figure out how to sell it off this site it will be made available here and at related websites.  In the meantime, you can check out … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Someone graciously made a comment about one of the reality entries here and while I preen with temporary pride and satisfaction, I’ve come to look at it for what it means.  Writing gets better with practice of writing, reading good … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Ooh!  Ooh!  Ooh!  An idea for a story!  This has never, well almost never, happened to me before.  I usually just get a sentence in my head and it’s an opening line and I take it from there.  But here … Continue reading → Continue reading →