Here you’ll find some of the craft and writing tips that have been shared over my years of editing and teaching writing.
Imagery in Your Writing
“A picture is worth a thousand words” is one of those old adages that holds true. It might seem skewed in favor of painters and photographers, but before you declare me a traitor, hear why it’s true for your writing as well. Fiction and nonfiction. Think of your...
Editing for Indies Interview Out Today!
The Editing for Indies Interview is out today! Simon Whistler of the Rocking Self-Publishing Podcast recently interviewed me about editing for indies. I've been working with Simon on his forthcoming Audiobooks for Indies. Working with him is as much of a...
When to Slow Down
There is a time and place for summary in every story, but it's not when you're writing an important or dramatic scene. The more important the scene, the more you need to slow down. Summary is useful when you need to move along and a wide brush stroke won't detract...
To Be, Or Not To Be? In Your Writing, Not To Be!
As a native speaker of any language, you get to take certain things for granted, like conjugating irregular verbs. I'm not sure I was really aware of irregular verbs, never mind conjugating them, until I took French. Then, because I took English for granted, I thought...
Revision Time
It's revision time again. There's first draft time, then there's revision time. Revision time is harder. When I'm writing a first draft there's always the possibility of getting into flow. You know, that magical state where the words stream forth and everything makes...
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When Stories Die
A writer just said to me that she gets halfway through a story and it dies. She loses interest and doesn’t finish it. I’ve heard lots of people mention that it’s easy to start and hard to finish, so just what is happening when stories die? And how can you get beyond...
Goodreads Winners!
Goodreads has chosen the winners of the A Stone's Throw giveaway! Congratulations to: Carol in Pennsylvania, Shelby in Iowa, Debbie in Maryland, Annie in Alaska, Kimberly in New York, and Amanda in North Carolina! All six winners will receive a signed copy of A...
The Necessity of Character Arc
In any story, the main character needs character arc; that is, he has to change. This weekend I saw the new Coen Brothers film, Inside Llewyn Davis. I enjoyed the cinematic material, the visuals and soundtrack, for instance. I thought the characters were well-acted. I...
Pushcart Prize
What a week it's been! I went away over Thanksgiving weekend for a quiet retreat with Scott--no wifi, no kids, no dog, no holiday. (Sorry Mom and Dad, but we needed the down time.) Despite unwinding, I had to check email on the phone once in a while to see if the dog...
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.
