Julie Duffy's Blog, page 150
June 30, 2015
SWAGr Check-In For July 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 […]
June 24, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] Two Different Timelines
Today’s prompt is inspired by a great book I’m reading on story structure. It’s called Book Architecture: How To Outline Without Using A Formula by Stuart Horwitz (who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference recently. If you get a chance to see him speak, I’d highly recommend it. Very engaging […]
June 21, 2015
All About Amazon’s New Exclusive Rights Grab and Royalties Changes
I’m hearing a lot of outrage and panic about the new Amazon Kindle royalties announcement. I’m also hearing a lot of misinformation. Before you grab your pitchfork, your flaming torches, your tar and your features, here’s what you need to know: *WHY I’M QUALIFIED TO TALK ABOUT THIS THE BASICS This Does Not Apply To […]
June 16, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] Going On A Journey
This week's writing prompt: Take Your Character(s) On A Literal & Figurative Journey
June 15, 2015
[Reading Room] Nightmare At 20,000 Feet by Richard Matheson
I thought I knew what I was getting into, with this story. After all, I’ve seen the Twilight Zone episode (William Shatner!!) a hundred times and they re-used the story for the Twilight Zone movie (John Lithgow!!). Surely there was nothing Matheson could do to scare me (or even retain my interest) in a story […]
June 4, 2015
Writers’ Conferences: The Introvert’s Guide
Conference season is upon us! Here are 3 essential tips for surviving a writers’ conference, as an introvert. Writers’ conferences are wonderful places for learning, connecting, being inspired and reminding yourself to take your writing seriously. They also have cringe-making moments of high-school flashbacks, with you cowering in a corner, wishing the earth would swallow you. After the […]
June 2, 2015
[Write On Wednesday] Occasional Places
I just read this charming blog post from an online friend (and fellow knitter & writer). She talks about her recent trip to France and shares some of her husband’s fabulous photos. It got me thinking…. The Prompt Write a story set in a place you have visited Tips Ideally this should be a place […]
May 31, 2015
SWAGr Check In June 2015
StoryADay May? It's not over until we say it is! Don't let go of that excitement and enthusiasm (not to mention the sense of community)...Join our Serious Writers' Accountability Group (SWAGr)!
May 30, 2015
Guest Prompt from Mary Robinette Kowal
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of The Glamourist Histories series of fantasy novels and the a three time Hugo Award winner. Her short fiction appears in Clarkesworld, Tor.com, and Asimov’s. Mary, a professional puppeteer, lives in Chicago. Visit her online at maryrobinettekowal.com. We’re rounding out our month with a multiple-award winning, working writer’s advice […]
May 31 – Scenario – The Windswept Plain
The Prompt
Your story starts with a character standing on a windswept, desolate plain. How did they get there? What do they want? And what is that on the horizon, and why is it getting closer?
Your story starts with a character standing on a windswept, desolate plain. How did they get there? What do they want? And what is that on the horizon, and why is it getting closer?
