Revision Time

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...

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...
Writing Classes: Story & Memory, Time & Place

Writing Classes: Story & Memory, Time & Place

I’ll be teaching two writing classes in St. Louis Park, MN in the coming weeks. Story and Memory is first at the St. Louis Park Library and the Lenox Community Center. Here’s the workshop description: Story and Memory: Are you full of interesting memories,...
Method Writing

Method Writing

How far would you go to create a character? Have you ever pretended to be that character, speaking in his voice? Walking around the room the way he walks to get a feel for those motions before you try to put them into words? Journaling as that character to better...

Fiction Depot

Fiction Depot is a great new resource for writers and readers of fiction developed by Gary Smith, a writer I have had the pleasure to work with at Hamline University and beyond.   Fiction Depot is a new form of literary hub–a site devoted to readers and...

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