Category Archives: Professional Writing

Part 1 in the series, “The Contemporary Novel Needs CPR” Technology is blinding us to the fact that the novel, as a creative format and literary venue, has not evidenced any innovations or breakthroughs for more than half a century. … Continue reading →

Most poets convey more of a message in 250 words than most prose writers do in 1,250 words. That’s because poets select words for their maximum impact. Poets are concerned about how a word sounds; how it meets the eye … Continue reading →

Conclusion of the series, “Advice for the Tortured Novelist” These four tips will help you break through writer’s block. 1. Do a timed writing session. Set an alarm clock for ten minutes. Attack your writing with a vengeance. Type out … Continue reading →

Part 2 in the series, “Advice for the Tortured Novelist” Try these four methods for ramping up your creativity: 1. Consider the audience first. Pick up a notepad and jot down responses to such key questions as, “Who, specifically, am … Continue reading →

Part 1 in the series, “Advice for the Tortured Novelist” Forget all of those stupid scenes in old-time movies wherein the tortured novelist is seated in front of his manual typewriter staring at a blank piece of paper. He takes … Continue reading →

Conclusion of the series, “Increasing Your Level of Creativity” My literary hero, Jack London, once said, “Don’t wait for inspiration. Light out after it with a club. If you don’t get it, you’ll get something remarkably like it.” This advice … Continue reading →

Part 3 in the series, “Increasing Your Level of Creativity” My success as a short story writer and novelist can be reduced to a three-step procedure: come up with a fascinating plot; bang out the first draft of the story … Continue reading →

Part 2 in the series, “Increasing Your Level of Creativity” When facing a creative challenge as an author – outlining a novel, drafting a keynote address for a writers’ conference, crafting a short story – professionals engage in a four-stage … Continue reading →

Part 1 in the series, “Increasing Your Level of Creativity” I know two things for sure about creativity. First, no one creates out of a void or vacuum. Until you put something in, you can’t get something out. Second, you … Continue reading →

Conclusion of the series, “Once Before a Time: Creating Prequels” We’ve talked about motion-picture prequels and how to write prequels of works that are in the public domain. Obviously, it seems a bit audacious to assume that one would be … Continue reading →