When in doubt, use the simplest word possible. There’s this idea, in writing, that you have to sound English-y, pontificating, official, in order to get your idea across. In reality, the opposite is true. Specific words and labels help us to understand the world around us. (You need only to think of the difference between … [Read more…]
So your first idea’s not your best idea. So what? Mickey is a Rabbit? Have you ever heard of Oswald the Rabbit? Probably not. Long before Mickey Mouse hit the Big Screen, Walt Disney drew a rabbit. Take a look, and you can see his resemblance to Mickey. Though Oswald enjoyed a certain degree of … [Read more…]
You know that “Shoulda said” moment? For me it happens on the drive home or in the middle of the night, as I replay a situation in my head, and wham, I shoulda said… Valentine’s Day, in modern times, is relegated to candy hearts and little paper greeting cards, and is largely a holiday dedicated … [Read more…]
[This article on creativity and finding your muse was recently published on Medium.] Oh, that elusive muse… By Annalisa Parent I recently had the honor of presenting to the League of Vermont Writers at their annual meeting. I got to speak on one of my favorite topics: accessing creativity. There are a lot of ideas out there … [Read more…]
There are a lot of ideas out there that creativity only belongs to “creative types” such as Dickens, DaVinci or Debussy. Thank goodness this is just a myth. Creativity is something any person can access at any time– for painting, sculpting, writing? Sure. But for problem solving of any kind– cooking, engineering, or a roadside … [Read more…]
Three Pro Tips for getting- and staying– in the writing groove Most writers know they’re supposed to write every day, but can you get– and stay– in a writing groove. Here are some tips from the writing trenches, from experiences writers who have been there, done that. 1) Aine Greaney in her book Writer with … [Read more…]
“I love to write, but I just can’t find the time.” You’ve heard it before. You’ve probably said it. Life is busy and it’s hard to find the time or energy for the things we love. Having a supportive group to meet with on a regular basis is one way to ensure you’ll make time … [Read more…]
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Thank you for your emails and comments yesterday. It was so great to hear from you. I understand that the writing struggle is real, that some of you are really feeling the weight of wanting your creativity to come out and soar. We’ve spent the last few weeks talking about finding a place where you … [Read more…]
Back in my college days in all those creative writing and English major-y type classes (See how English Major-y I am– I make up my own words.) I was somehow lead to believe that there was a right way to write, and a wrong way to write. Now, this was either because that was how … [Read more…]
1) Writing is an art. Although many writers will pay the bills with technical writing or designing social media posts, they are still artists. Art is about experiences, emotions, forms, and substance. Many people can write a grammatically correct sentence. But the writer will know that sometimes you start a sentence with a conjunction such … [Read more…]
Everyone’s met one. She two with pigtails or he’s four with hair sticking up on one side, but the one thing they have in common is “Why?” Eat your vegetables. Why? Wash your face. Why? Yup, it’s human nature to ask why. We want to know the reasons behind each line item in the local … [Read more…]
Two writers walk into a bar. They each order a chardonnay. Have you heard this one? No? That’s because I made it up. Sometimes when we’re stuck, or feeling a block in our creativity, it’s best to just write though it. This is true even for seasoned writers and artists. So when you’re stuck, write … [Read more…]
Writing Tips: Surefire ways to Kiss Writer’s Block Goodbye The idea is all around us: writers must read. Reading makes better writers. What’s all this hype? Is it really true? And most importantly, how can reading get us unstuck and beyond writer’s block? Reading gives us the opportunity, not only to get lost in a … [Read more…]
Writing Tips: Surefire ways to Kiss Writer’s Block Goodbye The idea is all around us: writers must read. Reading makes better writers. What’s all this hype? Is it really true? And most importantly, how can reading get us unstuck and beyond writer’s block? Reading gives us the opportunity, not only to get lost in a … [Read more…]
by Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com I have a writer’s notebook. No, I do. It’s just that I haven’t yet gotten in the good habit of having it with me—all. the. time. So, of course, inspiration strikes when I’m at the grocery store, or at work, or in the car; and random notes get jotted down on … [Read more…]
In one of the most notable scenes of one of my all time favorite chic-flicks, Bridget Jones chides her love interest (So Austen-ly named Mr. Darcy) of making her feel like an idiot. “I already feel like an idiot most of the time anyway,” she says.Yeah, I get it. While I (thankfully) don’t slide down … [Read more…]
Nate Herzog and I recently released part one of our series novel No 2. Inc. The next installment is due in June… but, have you ever wondered: what’s it like to write with someone else? Check out this article Nate wrote for the skinny. No2 Inc. Origin Story No special abilities. No special costumes. … [Read more…]
All the crap you read in high school Why revisiting all that school-assigned literature is worthwhile By Annalisa Parent Please, do not get me started on Melville’s Billy Budd. In high school, I was an avid reader, but this book challenged my love of the printed word. I am sure that when the last page … [Read more…]
The Almost Right Word: A Talk by Stephen Kiernan By Annalisa Parent The basic building block of writing is, of course, the word. As famous British poet and critic Samuel Coleridge once wrote “Prose is words in their best order—poetry is the best words in the best order.” As writers, therefore, regardless of genre, we … [Read more…]