Julie Duffy's Blog, page 144
December 15, 2015
10 Books Short Story Writers Should Have On Their 2015 Wish Lists
This week’s Reading Room is a little different: 10 (+1) books to add to your Holiday-of-Choice wish list as 2015 draws to a close. Enjoy! Short Stories & Essays (To Learn The Craft) I buy this every year and it has yet to disappoint. Curated by high school students and founded by Dave Eggars, this […]
10 Titles You Should Have On Your 2015 Wish List
This week’s Reading Room is a little different: 10 (+1) books to add to your Holiday-of-Choice wish list as 2015 draws to a close. Enjoy! Short Stories & Essays (To Learn The Craft) I buy this every year and it has yet to disappoint. Curated by high school students and founded by Dave Eggars, this […]
December 8, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] Manipulation
Today’s prompts is all about manipulation. The Prompt Write a story with two characters: one manipulative and one manipulated Tips Think about what characteristics you associate with a manipulative person. Are they bossy? Aggressive? Passive Aggressive? Use the contrast between the two characters to highlight the ‘truth’ of the each character- in their own minds, in […]
[Reading Room] The Californian’s Tale by Mark Twain
Sometimes it’s good to go back to the classics, and today I bring you The Californian’s Tale by Mark Twain. Read it online here It’s the story of a dilettante prospector towards the end of the California Gold Rush. He’s not doing any serious prospecting; it’s just an excuse to get the narrator wandering through the setting. […]
December 1, 2015
Giveaway: Motivation for Creative People by Mark McGuinness
Hey, I’m doing a month of book giveaways: some of my fave inspirational and craft books for writers. First up: Motivation for Creative People by Mark McGuinness. Fabulous look at all the reasons we avoid working, and how to change that. Make sure you’re on the mailing list to hear about more giveaways this month! […]
November 30, 2015
SWAGr – December 2015 Check-In
Every month we gather here to discuss what we’ve achieved and commit to making more progress in our creative lives in the coming month. We call it our Serious Writer’s Accountability Group or SWAGr, for short! (We’re serious, not sombre!) Leave a comment below telling us how you got on last month, and what you plan to do next […]
November 24, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] A Winter Tale
The Prompt Write a short story with an atmospheric feel set in any of the wintery types of weather that present opportunities to give that additional ingredient of mystery and suspense. Sat here on a dark, cold, wet morning I thought what a wonderful time of year for a story prompt! Winter offers so many […]
November 10, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] Holiday Story
If you haven’t written a story for the the Nov/Dec holiday-of-your-choice, now’s the time. The Prompt Write a Christmas/Other Religiously-Affiliated Seasonal Story, a Thanksgiving Story, or a New Year Story To Include With Your Seasonal Greetings Cards. Tips Write a short piece that you could include with your holiday cards instead of the dreaded ‘family update’ […]
November 6, 2015
Brainstorming & Outlining for People Who Hate Outlines
This post is for people who are having trouble getting past the exciting beginning of their story and into (and through) the mushy middle. It works for novelists and short story writers, and, since I’m writing it at the end of NaNoWriMo Week 1, I’m hoping to help some of you discouraged novelists out there. […]
October 31, 2015
SWAGr – November 2015
Every month we gather here to discuss what we’ve achieved and commit to making more progress in our creative lives in the coming month. We call it our Serious Writer’s Accountability Group or SWAGr, for short! (We’re serious, not sombre!) Leave a comment below telling us how you got on last month, and what you plan to do next […]
