Writers can learn a lot by reading. This novella is a great study in plot and character arcs, pacing, feminine horror, representing less represented queer identities, and toxic relationship dynamics. Overview Bloom by Delilah Dawson is the story of Ro, a very new assistant professor of literature, and her obsessive relationship with Ash, an artisan … Continue reading Queer book review: Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
Tag: writing tips
Doubt
I saw this movie back in 2008 in the theater, and really liked, but I haven't seen the whole thing start to finish since then. This morning it happened to be on, and I sat and watched it and was amazed all over again. It's actually quite good, and it's a great movie for a … Continue reading Doubt
Misogynistic characters vs misogynistic writing
I've talked about this with a number of women who write over the past few years, as we have been exposed to stories where misogyny is featured and stories where the narrative itself - and often the writer - is actually misogynistic. Conflating those two things is dangerous. One is a way of exploring and … Continue reading Misogynistic characters vs misogynistic writing
Untameable
Now is the time to become untameable.
Resistance through representation
As I troll through my various islands of internet camaraderie and outrage, I'm seeing the word "resistance" a lot. There is certainly a spewing plethora of negative impulses and cruelty and just plain stupidity out there that needs to be resisted in various ways. Through the ages, writers and artists of various kinds have done … Continue reading Resistance through representation
Backstories for girls and women in stories that *don’t* involve sexual assault.
I beta read a lot, and am involved in writing communities of various kinds, and I briefly taught English way back in the day, and I consume much storytelling media in general - and one of my biggest pet peeves is sexual assault backstories. While I think this is improving, it’s still annoying to me … Continue reading Backstories for girls and women in stories that *don’t* involve sexual assault.
“Every fear contains a wish”
I didn't come up with this particular aphorism. I got this from author Steve Almond (who has a new book out on the writing process called Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow which everyone should absolutely read). He recently came to the writing program I'm in to push us on how to make … Continue reading “Every fear contains a wish”
I know why agents keep rejecting you
Having trouble getting published?
“Sometimes an accusation is a confession”
Have you ever read something that hits you hard and you can't stop thinking about it? Usually that happens to me with novels, but I came across this quote somewhere in the wilds of Instagram recently. It struck a certain chord because there's a real-life theme here that many of us encounter in our lives. … Continue reading “Sometimes an accusation is a confession”
I Remember… [writing exercise]
Part 1: Start out every line/phrase with "I remember" and see what emerges. They key is not to think about it too hard - just write. My "I remember" exercises tend to be a mix of my own memories and things that emerge from the worlds and characters I create. Feel free to write this … Continue reading I Remember… [writing exercise]
Mental Wanderings: Art, Nature, Life 