The Writing Life Archives

Letting Your Novel Be Your Teacher

March 20, 2014
Daniel Schwabauer
Daniel's Writing Log, Reviews: Books, Movies, Short Stories, The Writing Life
4 Comments

Daniel Schwabauer AMG’s release of Runt the Hunted, book two in my Legends of Tira-Nor series, is slated to be released in about a month. I often talk about how writing a book always changes the writer, even if it doesn't change the reader. Writing Runt the Hunted was a little like that. It changed me.

Why Fancy Word Arrangements Don’t Make a Story

March 14, 2014
Daniel Schwabauer
Homeschooling, Parenting a Young Writer, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
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Daniel Schwabauer We have a guest post on the "Teach Them Diligently" blog today, telling the "story behind" The One Year Adventure Novel (OYAN).

Help, I Have Writer’s Block! – A Different Perspective on the Monster

March 13, 2014
Student Contributor
Stuck? Discouraged?, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
3 Comments

Emily Tjaden, Guest Contributor Emily, a long-time student with The One Year Adventure Novel, recently experienced a breakthrough in her struggle with writer's block. We asked her to share it with us—because, let's be honest, we all wrestle with this monster sooner or later!

“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?”