Writing Tips and Tools Archives

“I love to write. What should I study in college?”

March 6, 2014
Student Contributor
The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
2 Comments

Interview with Erynn Besse Many young writers wrestle with whether or not to study creative writing (or professional writing, or English literature, etc.,) at a college level. We asked Erynn Besse, winner of our 2013 Novel Contest, to tell us about her college choices. Erynn is a gifted writer, deeply invested in her craft, but also passionate about other fields of study.

The Burden of Purpose – When You’re Haunted by Your Creative Gift

February 27, 2014
Staff Writer
Stuck? Discouraged?, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
37 Comments

Tineke Bryson, Staff Writer Deep down, I am haunted by my creative abilities. Haunted by the question, “Could I do more, if I were only brave enough to take bigger creative risks?”

Deadly Deadlines – The One Type of Deadline You Should Never Make

February 20, 2014
Student Contributor
Stuck? Discouraged?, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
18 Comments

Braden Russell, Guest Contributor I’ve discovered one type of deadline that you should never, ever make for yourself. It will depress you, disillusion you, and completely take the wind out of your motivation. And for many of us, it’s the only kind of deadline we give ourselves.

9 Ways to Encourage Creativity in Your Kids

February 13, 2014
Student Contributor
Homeschooling, Parenting a Young Writer, Push Your Imagination, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
1 Comment

Lisa Pennington, Guest Contributor Lisa Pennington, of The Pennington Point, is mom to several OYAN students—among them J. Grace Pennington whose guest post we featured last week. The Penningtons are such a creative group, we asked Lisa for pointers for cultivating creativity in our homes.

How Limitations Can Push You as a Writer

February 6, 2014
Student Contributor
Industry, Push Your Imagination, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
3 Comments

J. Grace Pennington, Guest Contributor On the surface, our possibilities may seem unlimited. We can sit down at our word processors and type out anything our imagination can come up with. There are, however, still many possible limitations. We are obviously limited by what we know or can find out about. We are somewhat limited by our own experience (“Write what you know!?”). We may be limited by word count, content, or subject if writing for someone else. But, like Spielberg, we can use these limitations to enhance our creativity and improve our craft.