As a fiction writer, it is important to know your audience. If you have never done any research to discover what demographic your proposed novel might reach (or not reach) then you may be wasting valuable time writing a novel that no one will read. Google Zeitgeist is a fantastic engine created to show researchers … Continue reading »
Posted in April 2012 …
Tolkien’s 10 Tips for Writers
I have long been a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien. Every year, when school dismisses for summer break, I read The Lord of the Rings. This year I will read it to my children and do all the voices for them. Tolkien was a brilliant writer, but what if we could sit down with him and ask … Continue reading »
Captain America Makes His First Appearance…at Walmart
Today was a great day. I premiered my hand made Captain America and Bucky costumes at the H.U.G.s Project fundraiser at the Belle Isle Walmart in Edmond, Oklahoma. We received many compliments, my goggles continually fogged up, I heard some great stories and hopefully helped our American servicemen and women receive much needed care packages. … Continue reading »
Youthful Dreams: A Writer’s Journey Over 25 Years
I started writing short stories and poetry in 10th grade. The reason, in the beginning, was simple: wooing women. Of course, none of the poems I wrote ever ended up in the hands of any girls, but I soldiered on, and my sophomore year began with a creative writing class where we were not really … Continue reading »
Being Xenophanes: How to Write Satire
Today a former student of mine wandered into my room with paper in hand ready for me to churn out writing tips. This student will graduate in a few weeks, and he has been assigned to write a satirical piece of his choosing about a social issue. Like Xenophanes of the 6th century who traveled … Continue reading »
5 Reasons Why Writing Is Hard Work
Today is the day we write about something beginning with the letter “W” as part of the grueling race that is the “A to Z Blogging Challenge”. When I think of today’s chosen letter, I can think of nothing else but the thing I love most: writing. There is a current boon of self-published writers … Continue reading »
Vade Mecum: 6 Reference Books All Writers Need
Vade Mecum, Latin for “go with me” has come to mean any book kept constantly on hand. I posted an article a few days ago about science fiction novels that every writer must read, but today I thought I would list five reference books absolutely necessary for success in the craft of writing. These books … Continue reading »
Ugly Errors: 5 Reasons Why Writers Must Learn to Revise
As Taylor Mali illustrates so eloquently in the above video, writers should stop relying on spell check to edit their writing for them and start learning how to revise. One of the best books on the market for self-editing is by Renni Browne and Dave King: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into … Continue reading »
100 Followers!
I now have 100 subscribers to the blog! Thank you so much everyone for clicking on the little follow button. It means so much to me. Blessings on all. I am more than humbled by this.
1000 Blog Hits In One Day!
I am pleased to announce that Writing Is Hard Work received over 1,000 hits in one day! Thanks goes out to all the many people who made it possible. I am humbled and flattered by all of you.
