I know I’m not the first to tackle this topic, but there seems to be a dearth in articles pertaining to some of the more intangible qualities that, in my experience, benefit someone who wants to succeed—or simply survive—the sometimes schizophrenic lifestyle of an artist.
On a very basic level, the creation of a story can be divided into two parts: concept and composition. Without a command of both sides, a writer is bound to fall short of greatness.
Whereas some writers find music (or any background noise) a distraction, I am fueled by the creative energy imbued in most melodies.
When a fledgling writer first takes a stab at the craft, he or she is apt to make a few fundamental mistakes. One such error is assuming that the more words one uses, the better.
One of my earliest college writing assignments involved a little espionage.
Anyone who has studied literature surely has stumbled upon them: a group of extremely talented writers who came together to exchange ideas, encourage one another, and, sometimes, to form a movement.
Remember those old Choose Your Own Adventure books? The ones where you controlled a character’s destiny and guided the direction of the narrative? I’m conducting an experiment that brings that old series of children’s books to mind...
Whenever I imagine my future novels sitting on a bookshelf, I see my full name on the spine. Mine and mine alone.
It’s a piece of advice I’ve heard on many occasions: short stories first, then novels.
Someone once said, “A writer is not a writer without an audience.” I don’t necessarily agree, but I will say this: a serious writer will not be satisfied until he or she finds one.