The Writing Life Archives

Does Your Creativity Have to Grow Up?

November 28, 2013
Staff Writer
Parenting a Young Writer, Push Your Imagination, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
2 Comments

Tineke Bryson, Staff Writer Life throws many changes at us. They threaten an end to our creative ambitions. Whether it’s a job with no wiggle room for ideas, so much college homework you’re worried you’ll lose your love of reading, or a new life role (marriage, parenthood, anyone?), change has a way of making us feel like a naive idiot for calling ourselves a writer, an artist, an adventurer.

How to Become a Writer’s Best Friend

November 21, 2013
Staff Writer
Giving and Receiving Critique, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
1 Comment

Rachel Garner, Staff Writer In my previous post, I tackled the value of critique even when it hurts. Now I’m here with advice on how to create these worth-their-weight-in-gold critiques and how to minimize the necessary toe-smashing.

When Your “Perfect” Story Falls Flat

November 14, 2013
Daniel Schwabauer
Daniel's Writing Log, Help with Characters, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
9 Comments

Daniel Schwabauer I had re-written the novel, then titled Baht, in 2012, as 70,000+ words of first-person narrative. Only in writing the second-to-last chapter did I realize the book wasn’t working. Though it had a lot going for it (in my opinion, anyway), it still lacked something. It lacked oomph. Drive. A sense of compulsion. I wasn’t being pulled along by the story; I was driving the story ahead of me with a cattle-prod.

Why Writing Lessons and Workshops Aren’t Enough

November 7, 2013
Student Contributor
Stuck? Discouraged?, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
0 Comments

Kyle de Waal, Guest Contributor Kyle de Waal gave a speech during the 2013 Summer Workshop, challenging the members of the extended One Year Adventure Novel community to put their gifts and training to use. It was so provoking we asked him for a written version we could post here for those of you who didn’t get to hear it (and everyone who needs reminding again!).

Why Young Writers Need Community

October 31, 2013
Student Contributor
Giving and Receiving Critique, Homeschooling, Parenting a Young Writer, Stuck? Discouraged?, The Writing Life, Writing Tips and Tools
5 Comments

Jeff Miller, Guest Contributor We asked J. Mark Miller, dad to an "OYANer" (a One Year Adventure Novel student) who is also a fantasy-writer himself, to share some reflections for other writers and their parents.