Here you’ll find some of the craft and writing tips that have been shared over my years of editing and teaching writing.
Read moreWhen you ask for feedback from someone, be defenseless.
Be Defenseless
When you ask for feedback from someone, be defenseless. Before I get to Be Defenseless, a quick share: the weekend was crazy busy: 2 literary events, my daughter’s birthday, my service dog’s public access test. It was nonstop. The first event was a reading at The Loft...
Covers & Fonts, Fonts & Covers
Do we really judge a book by its cover? Yes, of course we do, which makes its design a major marketing and branding decision. I put it second only to the content on the pages. After all, someone might buy a book based on an attractive cover, but if the stuff between...
Halloween Approaches
It must be time for Halloween. Found this on Twitter today: Storm Cellar @stormcellar Bears, bears, and bears, oh my! http://bit.ly/1rgAQbw from SC 2.3, brief & #bloody #fiction by @alidawintern That would be my short story, "Wild Animal," being promoted as...
Word Essential Workshop 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmm1CZQZ6Q This video is short, only 3 minutes. I get personal and make you a special offer. Now through Tuesday, you can take an online creative writing workshop with me. Get 12 LIVE classroom hours, a bonus half-hour...
Word Essential Workshop 3
Today's topic: the necessity of Forward Motion in your story. This one is a little longer at 12 minutes. Despite some judicious editing, I couldn't get it under 10. There's just too much good stuff in there, including a diagram of my "What If? Game." You might...
Word Essential Workshop 2
Now that you know you should be in scene, here are some tips to help you with that. Miss the first video? It's here. http://youtu.be/CtX-wWqKR6g Want to follow along with the writing sample? In scene, no dialogue: Sara slammed her car door after...
Word Essential Workshop 1
So, you're a writer. But are you writing in summary when you should be in scene? Note: You can read along with the example below the video and link to the RSP podcasts. http://youtu.be/9FP5EBNmkuA Get the recording of the Rocking Self-Publishing...
A Brief Overview of Point of View
Face it, we could fill a graduate seminar with Point of View; it’s that complex a matter. So I was being silly when I went to teach on Wednesday, and I thought I’d just give a brief overview of POV, then move on to the Plot unit. The students had lots of questions....
Scrivener, You’re Losing Me!
Right now, one of the projects I’m juggling is the layout and design of The Murder in Skoghall. Last week, a reader of my Word Essential Writers newsletter (sign up to the right) asked me what I do about layout, and I helpfully reported that I do my interior design in...
The Rocking Self-Publishing Webinar: Editing
Want to learn about editing? Want to know what I'm like to work with? Check out the webinar I did with Simon Whistler of Rocking Self-Publishing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsPI5NRmKss
I'm Alida
I help people express their gifts to the world.
I do not believe in formulas. I believe that the stories we are compelled to tell the world make demands on us, and it is our privilege to meet those demands in order to reach the most people in the most authentic and compelling way possible.
