How much time do writers spend actually writing? Well…the truth is, it’s probably not as often as you think. Here are four things that can discourage or derail writers: 1. Dealing with English Let’s just take a minute to appreciate how difficult English is. Sometimes the hardest thing about writing is getting around all the […]
4 Differences Between British and American Grammar
British English and American English are different, but not just in pronunciation and vocabulary. There are subtle grammar and spelling variations that, when you know and recognize them, will put you a jump ahead of those who don’t realize they exist—and give you the confidence and knowledge to write and edit for British publications if you wish! […]
3 Comma Rules You Need to Know
It’s easy to impulsively toss commas into our writing like croutons (“Oh yeah, I need some of those…”) instead of intentionally stirring them into our work like some creamy buttermilk ranch, and ignoring a few simple comma rules in the process. Commas are crucial punctuation marks just longing to be understood. Here are three comma […]
3 Tips for Writing Believable Characters
We’ve discussed genuine writing here on the blog. We’ve also talked about crafting convincing characters on The Creative Penn. But what are some practical, nitty-gritty tips for actually creating believable characters in our writing? What separates a real, relatable character from a stereotypical, “meh” one? When writing a novel an author should create living people; people, not characters. A character […]
Inseparable Pairs
For better or worse, life is full of inseparable pairs: Salt and pepper. Guns and ammo. Pears and cheese. Dogs and fleas. Eggs and bacon. Peanut butter and jelly. Christmas and pine trees. And my personal favorite: peanut butter and chocolate. Within these pairs, you don’t hear about one without the other. (Ok, there are exceptions, especially for […]
What to Write When You Have No Words
No words? Write hard and clear about what hurts.” ~ Ernest Hemingway I was going to get married last year. But I didn’t. Less than two months before the date, I had to call off the wedding. In a very real sense, it has been like grieving a death. Not only the death of a […]
