Tag Archives: writing techniques

The effect of narrative Point of View, part one

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

A story’s point of view – the place of the narrator, and sometimes the audience – in the story – has a powerful effect on the reader experience, and it’s up to the author to recognize this and choose the right point of view to achieve his or her desired effect. Continue reading →


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“Shitty first drafts” and writing-as-sculpture

Posted on July 25, 2011 by

Writers often get caught up or blocked trying to write a perfect first draft, when a first draft is really meant to be raw material. Like a sculptor, a writer must first build up a rough version of the work before refining and revising it into the final product. Continue reading →


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How to respond to a critique

Posted on June 16, 2011 by

You say “thank you.” That’s it. You remind yourself that this person took the time to (a) read your work, (b) give it enough thought to formulate comments, and (c) took the time to share those comments with you. You … Continue reading →


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Writing techniques: revealing character

Posted on September 17, 2009 by

The new Flaming Lips album Embryonic, is streaming in its entirety over on Colbert Nation.  I’ve been listening to it all day at work.  This is a good day. I’m currently “reading” Neil Stephenson’s The Diamond Age.  I use the … Continue reading →


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