Tag: writing

• An Approach to Drama Writing Part II: It all starts in your mind.

  Part II on my short workshop on writing drama (applicable to other genres as well. Part I was on Being Fearless. You can read it HERE! Writing is accomplished in your mind. It’s edited on paper. (or electronic paper) One of the great myths of writing is that it is accomplished when you actually start putting…

  sassevn

  March 14, 2015

  Writing Process

  brainstorming, generating ideas, steps to effective writing, writing, writing drama

• A Writer’s Worst Nightmare: Bieber on Repeat

  Imagine the shock to my writer’s immune system when I arrived at my normal outdoor, luscious, tropical resort, writing area to hear the words “Baby, Baby” being blasted loudly like I’m at a raucous block party. There’s no vaccine for that, is there? A couple heard “babys” is surely enough to send a writer’s creativity…

  sassevn

  March 9, 2015

  Indie Author

  commercialism in writing, Justin Bieber and bad writing, worst lyrics ever, writing, writing irritations, writing obstacles

• Is this an opinionated question? (An example from Truman & the A-bomb)

  As a teacher, sometimes I’m asked this question about the questions I ask my students: “Is this an opinionated question?” “Yes it is,” I reply. “So you can’t mark it off, right? It’s just an opinion.” “Oh no, you can most definitely get it wrong.” “But how can an opinion be wrong?” “Perhaps an opinion…

  sassevn

  February 27, 2015

  History & Culture, Teaching & Education

  hiroshima, nagasaki, opinion questions, reasons for dropping A-bomb, teaching, truman and A-bomb, was truman justified in dropping the bomb, writing

• After Hours and Hours: Still No Idea What I Have

  One of the projects I’ve been working on lately (and for a while) is 10-minute concept musical about the end of the world. I started it last year with some basic brainstorm writing and a chorus melody that I liked which has become kind of the focused anthem for the piece. Recently, probably about two…

  sassevn

  February 23, 2015

  10-minute play, Indie Author

  approaches to writing, evaluating writing, musical, short musical, writing

• Another Lesson for Indies: “Restaurant, you have one chance to impress me.”

  A new restaurant opened up in my neighborhood quite a few months ago. From the outside it is attractive, a cafe-throwback, a large outdoor blackboard with a hand-written “Open” sign, a large stack of firewood neatly arranged into the exterior of the restaurant, and attractive indoor and outdoor seating. Even the signboard was well designed…

  sassevn

  February 22, 2015

  Indie Author

  building a customer base, building a readership, marketing, promotion, restaurants and writing, trying out new restaurant, writing

• Writing: It’s Kind of Like Garlic Butter

  A local chain pizza shop here sells their pizza with a garlic butter crust, but one taste confirms that, most likely, it contains neither garlic or butter. To me, the crust tastes like nail polish applied on top of a thin layer of artificially flavored garlic powder. It’s kind of nauseating actually. The reason for…

  sassevn

  February 20, 2015

  Writing Process

  garlic butter, honey mustard, recipes, simplify your life, simplify your writing, writing, writing process

• Is Using a Thesaurus Cheating? (And other stupid thoughts.)

  Is using a thesaurus cheating? (And other stupid thoughts.) Sometimes I feel like I’m competing against everyone’s outside perceptions. Here’s a stupid example. I went through a phase when I thought that good cooks never had to consult a cookbook. When I’m writing this now, I realize how stupid that sounds – as if someone…

  sassevn

  January 29, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  a writer’s vocabulary, authorship, cooking, cooking without recipes, using a thesaurus, writers and thesaurus, writing

• Those who seek people, those who avoid people

  I’m a writer and an introvert. A very non-volatile combination if there ever was one. If you can’t figure me out, you’re not alone. I’m one of those terrible “avoiders.” I purposefully go out of my way to avoid people I know. I have no idea why I do it. Often times when I see…

  sassevn

  January 25, 2015

  Indie Author, Life

  introvert, recluse, writer’s attitude, writer’s isolation, writing

• Writing Forecast: 2015

  A deliciously light breeze from the west lifts spirits and places smiles of satisfaction on writers everywhere. The sun’s hues glitter on the placid ocean as a million shades of contrasting blue. I would say the forecast for writing in 2015 is peaceful and inviting. So here are the writing projects I have on my…

  sassevn

  January 18, 2015

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  indie author, novel writing, writing, writing plans, writing projects

• Ready to Move On, But Another Revision Awaits

  I’m a firm believer in letting a finished work sit for a while before giving it its final revision prior to its final editing. But there is a problem that arises as well – or at least it does for me – and that is my brain has already moved onto other interests. What to…

  sassevn

  January 17, 2015

  Indie Author

  beta readers, creativity, editing, novel writing, releasing a novel, revising, writing