Tag Archives: sensory words

What’s a tree? (Encore)

My niece, a medical receptionist, witnessed something inspiring not long ago in the waiting room at the doctor’s office where she works. There were a number of people waiting to see the doctor, and among them was a little girl … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is Your Sex Scene Worthwhile? (Encore)

When working with beginning novelists and reviewing their work, I’m often tasked with reading their very first sex scenes. One might be tempted to say, “Oh, you dawg! You get to jump straight to the good stuff.” But, one would … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Character Emotions — Part Eight (Encore)

Last time around I presented the opening scene from a work in progress by writer Nancy James. Many of you who took the time to read it may have come away with the same question in mind that I had, … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How much of you should go in your book? (Encore)

While the answer is obvious for those who write memoir or family histories, the question becomes a great deal trickier when one is writing fiction. To a certain extent, all of what we put in a novel is derived from … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s a tree? (Encore)

My niece, a medical receptionist, witnessed something inspiring last week in the waiting room at the doctor’s office where she works. There were a number of people waiting to see the doctor, and among them was a little girl about … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Writer’s Brain (Encore)

It’s time for something somewhat <cough> headier than usual. I read an article by Carl Zimmer in the New York Times on-line edition about research done a few years ago in Germany to find out what parts of a writer’s … Continue reading

Posted in short fiction, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

What’s a tree? (Encore)

My niece, a medical receptionist, witnessed something inspiring last week in the waiting room at the doctor’s office where she works. There were a number of people waiting to see the doctor, and among them was a little girl about … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, short fiction, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

How much of you should go in your book?

While the answer is obvious for those who write memoir or family histories, the question becomes a great deal trickier when one is writing fiction. To a certain extent, all of what we put in a novel is derived from … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Character Emotions — Part Eight

Last time around I presented the opening scene from a work in progress by writer Nancy James. Many of you who took the time to read it may have come away with the same question in mind that I had, … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is Your Sex Scene Worthwhile?

When working with beginning novelists and reviewing their work, I’m often tasked with reading their very first sex scenes. One might be tempted to say, “You lucky dawg! You get to jump straight to the good stuff.” But, one would … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments