“It all matters. That someone turns out the lamp, picks up the windblown wrapper, says hello to the invalid, pays at the unattended lot, listens to the repeated tale, folds the abandoned laundry, plays the game fairly, tells the story honestly, acknowledges help, gives credit, says good night, resists temptation, wipes the counter, waits at […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Jessica Page Morrell' Category
“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.” ~ Jack Kerouac
Read the rest of this entry »Quick Take: Make your Crucible Hell-Hot
In fiction the cauldron or crucible is a setting or situation that forces characters to change or make difficult decisions; to face what they’d rather not face. I’ve written about cauldrons before and mentioned how they must be inescapable. Two powerful examples come to mind–the islands in Lord of the Rings and Jurassic Park. Let’s return […]
Read the rest of this entry »More writing contests & resources
The Writer has posted more writing contests and resources here including their upcoming contest judged by Colum McCann that awards a first prize of $1,000. But enter soon since the deadline is midnight December 6. The fine print: Entry fees: one story for $25, and up to five additional stories for $15 each on the […]
Read the rest of this entry »Giving Tuesday: In Case You Missed It
As always, keep writing, keep dreaming, have heart
Read the rest of this entry »“Language is a living thing. We can feel it changing. Parts of it become old: they drop off and are forgotten. New pieces bud out, spread into leaves, and become big branches, proliferating.” – Gilbert Highet
Read the rest of this entry »Quick Take: Tough Choices
People are defined by their choices. This applies to poker players and politicians, world leaders and criminals, parents and coaches. Fictional characters are also defined by the choices they make. Choices start off a story because a character needs to respond to the inciting incident and first plot point. In Act two when the protagonist’s […]
Read the rest of this entry »NaNoWriMo Hacks & a Bit of Tough Love
Thirty days has November and for thousands of writers around the globe, that means NaNoWriMo or National Writing Month, a giddy, exhausting yet exhilarating, marathon and communal activity where writers jam on the page, producing a 50,000-word novel in a month. It teaches writers discipline, commitment, and how to survive on not much sleep. A […]
Read the rest of this entry »
