Category Archives: story structure

Writers’ Mill Minutes 201803

Writing Exercise (from Teri Brown): Teri handed around scent vials during our meeting. Maybe just stand at an open window (on this lovely spring day) and see what smell reaches your nose. Then write for 10 minutes and see what story reaches the page. Continue reading Writers’ Mill Minutes 201803

Writers Mill Minutes 201703

Writers’ Mill Minutes March 19 2017

Twenty people enjoyed a fantastic workshop from Nancy Linnon (http://www.themovingpen.net/) on March 19th at the library. A gifted speaker, teacher, editor, writer, writing coach and more, Nancy came armed with excellent handouts including a great list of resources, and she invited us, right from her very first question, to look more deeply for stories in our own lives and those of our characters. Lots of members left energized and excited to realize they just might have a story worth telling in their past. Continue reading Writers Mill Minutes 201703

Interesting Links for March/April

You’ve guessed it. Walt is the source for many (but not all) of these links. Follow. Read. Learn. Enjoy! (Oh, and join Facebook, where you’ll find much more on our private Writers Mill page,, with thanks to Catherin!)

Get writing!

Be both inspired and inspiring. There are some really cool ideas in this: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/simple-ways-to-repurpose-content/

A nicely imaginative post suggests how to deal with those obstacles keeping you from writing: http://willamettewriters.org/2016/02/4-obstacles-keeping-finishing-manuscript/

If the book feels too big to tackle and you’re not sure where to start: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/three-things-before-you-write-a-book/

Follow the rules to become an author? http://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2015/08/24/become-an-author-5-basic-rules/

Describe your book!

From back-cover copy to elevator pitch, how would you describe your book? http://buildbookbuzz.com/amazon-book-description/

Print your book!

Fonts are scary stuff. You may not be hugely wiser after reading this, but you’ll be better informed: https://designschool.canva.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-font-pairing/

Meanwhile, here’s an interesting e-conversation about fonts: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1697027/1697027-6120823027480485892

Practice better writing!

What shape is your story? This video’s well worth watching (only 4 minutes) http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/simple-shapes-of-stories/

Want to outline your book? http://self-publishingschool.com/11-ways-outline-book/

A checklist to help your story: https://mystorydoctor.com/12588-2/

Use Point of view to create good writing https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/want-a-page-turner-you-need-deep-pov/

Create that summary: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bd398af5e14b804a37b7f273a&id=ba869c80d6

Tell the world about your writing!

A letter to librarians – if you’re trying to get speaking engagements, or get books into libraries, this one might help: http://indigoseapressblog.com/2016/03/20/library-book-tour-letter-by-christine-husom/

How to pitch, which also helps with how to query: http://willamettewriters.org/wwcon/pitching-with-confidence/

Lots of book marketing comments from real authors: http://selfpublishingadvice.org/book-marketing-shots-in-the-dark/

Use the Internet!

Is there a way to effectively use blogs, facebook, twitter etc?  http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/20-plus-social-media-hacks-and-tips-from-the-pros/

A cool way to look at platforms, with lots of practical advice: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2016/03/jason-gracia/

Some great stuff about what to put on your author website: http://writetodone.com/creating-author-websites/

And on the “about me” page of the site (or blog): http://buildbookbuzz.com/an-about-me-page-that-sizzles/

Go to conferences!

August 12-14 Willamette Writers conference: http://willamettewriters.org/wwcon/

November 5 Wordstock: http://www.literary-arts.org/2016/03/wordstock-2016-news-and-updates/

Send that query letter!

Master’s review – deadline March 31st – reading fee $20 http://mastersreview.com/short-story-award-for-new-writers/

Women only (sorry, men), WoW is inviting queries for short sweet non-fiction posts before April 10 http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101417136261&ca=35072501-8a54-4708-885e-2a3376bed932

 

This month’s interesting links

February contest deadlines: https://mastersreview.com/february-deadlines-14-contests-and-lit-mags-with-deadlines-this-month/

Plus lots more deadlines in this free download. If you’re writing short pieces, you really should get this: https://mastersreview.com/free-download-literary-calendar-jan-june/

All about ISBNs http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/01/book-isbn-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions/

How to write a picture book. This is wonderful – just read it, even if you don’t want to write one: http://www.buzzfeed.com/macbarnett/how-to-write-a-picture-book-i066#.ecqKzERxn

Prose poetry? Poetic prose? Find out more https://madmimi.com/s/18f647?o=tm

You’ve written the book. Why is no one reading it? http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1d3577f0f5a155c4813f5ff47&id=530b5d9c2c&e=a3918d2369 or for some serious thought-provoking suggestions http://www.macgregorliterary.com/blog/what-does-a-writer-need-to-know-about-marketing/

Want to avoid some blogging mistakes? http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/06/4-major-mistakes-to-avoid-when-writing.html

become a successful blogger http://thewritelife.com/how-to-be-a-successful-blogger/

or are you still wondering why you’d want to blog? http://buildbookbuzz.com/how-to-blog-your-way-to-discoverability/

Interested in copy editing? Be sure to read down the page for useful advice – it’s not just an ad for the course. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=edd09410-d4ff-4ad1-ab2a-29ad8b015a43&c=6551b3e0-156d-11e5-acb5-d4ae52724810&ch=655a3f60-156d-11e5-acb5-d4ae52724810

Is your manuscript too long… too wordy…? https://lewiseditorial.wordpress.com/2016/02/04/10-tips-for-trimming-a-lengthy-manuscript/

Are there any song lyrics in your manuscript? http://indigoseapressblog.com/2016/01/20/using-copyrighted-song-lyrics-by-christine-husom/

Using all your senses: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/01/use-all-five-senses-to-enrich-your-writing/

Story Mechanics

Perspective:

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2015/02/4-tips-for-handling-multiple.html

Character:

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/10/planting-minor-characters-with-purpose.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/09/bring-your-characters-to-life-with.html

Detail:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/descriptive-writing/

http://www.copyblogger.com/damn-good-sentences/

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2013/11/use-seven-senses-to-spark-your-writing.html

Plot and story arc:

http://storyfix.com/the-irrefutable-algebra-of-story

http://storyfix.com/easy-approach-story-building-bedtime-story-model

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-save-cat-beat-sheet.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-heros-journey.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/how-to-plot-with-three-act-structure.html

http://storyfix.com/value-pantsing

Polish:

http://storyfix.com/fiction-writers-definition-criteria-concept