My friend's daughter has a dream, and I have been thinking about how to encourage her, because dreams are precious and they are too easily lost. I ended up writing her a letter, and I'm going to share it here. I hope that it's worthwhile reading for any young person with a dream.
Author: vanessafowler
Mirror of Sparrows, update
Progress on Mirror of Sparrows has been slow, but the story is moving along: The outline is settled, up to the first plot point: this book is going to be on the long side. The first plot point was originally going to be the midpoint, but there is more story to tell. My main characters … Continue reading Mirror of Sparrows, update
Cruz and a Hobbit birthday party
My son, Cruz, asked if he could have a Hobbit themed birthday party. Of course, I love the idea, but where to even begin... ...at the beginning, I guess! So, here is why I like the beginning of the Hobbit so much: Bilbo is content. He lives in a beautiful Hobbit hole (but it's a hole … Continue reading Cruz and a Hobbit birthday party
A writers’ retreat at Makapala, Big Island
Our dear friends, Jared and Tiana, invited me to do a writers' retreat in Makapala, Kohala, Big Island.
Honing authenticity and creativity
on writing with authenticity and creativity...
Structuring A Novel: Chapters
Love this…wish I had read it two years ago : )
This post is for beginners who are just starting to develop their first ideas. Any authors who successfully wrote a book might have different methods – I’d be happy to hear about them.
When you get an idea for a novel it seems easy to develop it but once you start working on it, it turns into a jungle, a mess. You might find yourself trying to figure out how simple things work or trying to find explanations for some complex scenes you want to write but aren’t sure how they really fit in.
When plotting your novel you decide on where the hits are (emotional hits, twists, etc), but to make some order in all of it, you should spend some more time developing the structure, the plot and the story-lines.
I have a word-count method I use when writing stories and novels (helps more with novels) that is…
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The benefits of writer’s block: there really are none
Writer's block: an inability to think, combined with a deep sense of guilt, that no amount of caffein seems to be able to take away. But, I'm trying to look on the positive side: I'm learning patience, especially with myself. Challenges produce perseverance and character. Meanwhile, all I have to write is AHHHHHHHHH! No - … Continue reading The benefits of writer’s block: there really are none
On “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
I'm not going to write about The Hate U Give in terms of pros and cons: this book doesn't fit into standard categories and is way beyond a simple review. It took me a while to read The Hate U Give because it was so intense. Although I feel uncomfortable reading something with so much … Continue reading On “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Love Lives Here, by Maria Goff
If you are looking for a good mother's day gift, consider Love Lives Here, by Maria Goff. Love Lives Here is a sweet and encouraging read - sort of like a portable retreat. Throughout the crazy busy of the last few weeks, the book has helped keep me at least partially sane. What appealed to me: I love the … Continue reading Love Lives Here, by Maria Goff
Good writing, like a favorite pair of jeans
I think that a person's favorite kind writing is like a favorite pair of jeans. Everyone has a different style. Anyway, I've been trying to determine what I think makes for awesome writing so that I can mimic it. {BTW, do you have book recommendations? I'm especially looking for 3rd person POV. Probably YA. Probably fantasy. … Continue reading Good writing, like a favorite pair of jeans
Vanessa Fowler 