A useful infographic for writers. If you click on it, you will be redirected to the Kindle version of Stephen King’s book On Writing.
If you follow the original blogger, you’ll received many more interesting and useful tips to keep your writing in good shape.
I’ve just completed reading the summary and analysis of one of my much-loved books: The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham – on LitCharts website. The summary and analysis, which sit intelligently side by side on the same page, are thorough, concise, and enlightening.
For an in-depth summary and analysis of your favourite works of literature, visit LitCharts via the link below.
If you can’t find your favourite title put in a request on their site!
The most beautiful and poignant blog I’ve read this year. An ode to the spirit of trees.
Published in New York Spirit
My childhood hopped in my grandparents’ garden. The entry gate of the house was arched with fragrant white jasmine and pink Rangoon creeper flowers that curtained half of the outer wall. It was an identity for the house as there were no assigned numbers on that small street comprising of fifteen houses at that time. “That flower vine house”.
The small flowerbed inside had flowers, herbs, succulents and vegetables as per the season. In spring, it was full of colorful flowers that had the power to mesmerize anyone who saw it. There was a guava tree, Poinciana tree and a red hibiscus tree. I adored the hibiscus tree. So did the squirrels, bees, hornets, hummingbirds, sparrows and butterflies. I played games around him, talked to him and adorned him with lights on Diwali. He was the best friend amongst other plant friends. I used to…
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Read this great blog from Roz Morris, and develop your ‘literary ear’.
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/five-tips-for-writing-good-prose/
How do we learn to write good prose? Indeed, what is it? How do we develop our use of language, play our literary instrument with more elan and flair?
We were probably all encouraged at school to use difficult words instead of simple ones. I see plenty of work that still seems in thrall to that, thinking that ‘printable writing’ must mean to use the thesaurus as often as possible.
Now I’ll happily use a thesaurus to find the bon mot that’s slipped my mind. But we’ve all seen writing that waxes far too lyrical, looks self-conscious and overdone.
The other huge sin is tortuous obfuscation, as if the writer is trying to prove they are clever. Just for a giggle, look at this example in The Philosophy and Literature Bad Writing Contest. Here’s a taster:
If, for a while, the ruse of desire is calculable for the uses…
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The first draft is done and Formations as a title has given way to Becoming.
I have a soggy feeling in the pit of my stomach that, instead of writing a novel, all I’m doing is searching for a word that describes the journey of every Earthling on the planet.
According to the first draft, here is the novel in a nutshell. I’m not a designer – oh, you already got that, okay – but this attempt helped me to focus on Bay’s essential story, and to remind me that she’s not alone.
A writery friend called Ames has posted an excerpt from her novel-in-progress. In it, there’s this wonderful line: “They huddled close for warmth of the soul more than the body.” I love that!
Swing by and have a read…
http://candor.amykaras.com/2018/06/winded-embers-excerpt.html?m=1
Can’t wait for the rest!
The title of my… I hesitate to call it a novel. Work in Progress could mean anything. We Earthlings are Works in Progress. It’s more like the first draft of an Un-nuanced Laundry List of Philosophical Ideas Hung On An Uncertain and Confusing Outline That Only Focuses on the Main Character’s Tortuous Arc Over a Meaningless Journey That… God, I’m bored.
Well. It seems that the Inner Saboteur and the Evil Critic have come out to play today. If anyone has – let’s say – a leaf-blower out there, perhaps you would be kind enough to distract them while I tiptoe over here, open this heavy door that leads to their private quarters – then if you could blow them over here… excellent, thank you! *Sound of heavy metal door crashing behind them, and lock being set to: “And Stay In There!”*
This Opus – stop laughing in there – has been developing and changing for a couple of years. I was beginning to panic that the novel would never come in spitting distance of growing into a first draft.
Things I’m learning:
The new title for the Opus – you heard me – has changed from Breaking Bread to Formations; from breaking something to forming something.
That feels suspiciously like progress.
P.S. Thanks, my leaf-blowing friend, Lisa, link below, for helping me today with those disruptive antagonists – and for inspiring me to start blogging again.
https://thecatterydiaries.wordpress.com
