Tonight, I have been sitting here for over an hour perusing news stories and Calls for Submissions trying to find a topic on which to write. I don’t mind writing once I have a topic, but sometimes figuring out what to write about is a pain in the butt. Tonight is one of those times….
Category: How To’s on Writing
The Platitudes I Swore I Was Going to Avoid
Here we are approaching the end of 2014 and I feel compelled to write something related to endings and new beginnings. But what? I don’t need to go back over the same old platitudes that have become so familiar that we all just skim over them. Yes, let’s savor every moment and be grateful for…
Insight from Max Perkins and Hemingway
The famous editor Max Perkins wrote: I think, in truth, that the best writing of all is done long after the events it is concerned with, when they have been digested and reflected upon unconsciously, and the writer has completely realized them in himself. It is good journalistic writing that is done quickly while everything…
I Need Your Help Figuring Out My Writing Skills
Hi folks, I am in the process of figuring out how to make my writing more effective. If you are so inclined, please help me out by answering any or all of the following questions. You can either respond in the comment box or else send me a private email at lenleatherwood@gmail.com. Your answers can…
A Practice in Imitation
I am experimenting with a new way to get myself unstuck in reference to a novel I’ve been working on. I have imitated the beginning of a favorite novel of mine: Snow Falling on Cedars, but have substituted one of my main characters and have changed the lines to reflect my character, not Guterson’s. Also,…
Too Tired Tonight So Here’s a Great TED Talk Link Instead
Ray has just arrived home after a week in Texas. That’s good news. I have been up since 6 am. I think now that life is back to normal, I’ll head to bed. This is not going to be 20 minutes of writing today, but I am proud of myself that I’m even posting at…
A “Homey” Writing Workshop
I have recently decided to expand my teaching of writing to include small groups for adults (I teach primarily one-on-one and online); so I am offering a writing class in my home for the first time. This will span 5 weeks and will be for 1 1/2 hours every Wednesday from September 25 – October…
“Healing” Writing
Well, I still haven’t done my paperwork – no muse visited this afternoon – but I have written my little heart out this evening and I’m happy about that. I have just concluded my “Writing as a Way of Healing” class and I spent this evening doing some healing writing of my own. While I…
Lost in Website Builder Land
I have been determined to build a website today. I have failed so far. There are many choices of free website builders, but, unfortunately, they include information that is beyond my level of computer literacy. Alas, I am hog-tied, at least for tonight. I keep thinking that if I create a website where I can…
Thank you, Edward!
A friend of mine in Texas, Edward Southerland, gave me a book when I was there a few weeks back. The gift was inspired, he said, from the reading he has done on my blog, which I will take as a compliment since I am always pleased to hear that people actually read my blog….
20 Minutes a Day 