Columns

Writer Burnout: What To Do When You're Done

May 30th, 2014

I love my job. I do. I'm a writer, and, like I say on Twitter, that means I write things. All kinds of things. I write essays and columns. I write novels. I write articles about the arts scene in Charleston, South Carolina. I go to all kinds of galleries and shows. Once I met with a yoga company and got to play with acrobats. Next week I'm going to an indoor trampoline park with my daughter so I can write about the experience. It's a great job. There's no doubt in my mind about that. 

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I Hate You...No, Wait, I Love You! 5 Literary 180s

May 29th, 2014

Have you ever finished a book and thought, "Well, that was disappointing," only to have it take up prime real estate in your brain? Then, it hits you: it was actually one of the best books you’ve ever read! I don’t know if I’m just quick to judge, or if some books simply take longer to sink in, but this happens to me all the time. I cast a book aside and there is some flip of a switch, and a book I once hated becomes a favorite. A book that is worth a second read. A book you want to run and tell your bookworm buddies about.

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LitReactor Community Spotlight: May 2014

May 29th, 2014

You may have noticed that we're trying out some new things here at LitReactor (some of which are covered below). In this monthly column, I'll be looking to advertise what's going on in our community. I aim to keep things dynamic, so if you have suggestions on how I might improve this column, please feel free to drop them in the comments. My goal is to keep you informed about what's happening in the LitReactor enclave and highlight the accomplishments of our members.

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Offer The Coffee Branch: A Plea For Peace From A Coffee Shop Writer

May 28th, 2014

So there’s this: [video:http://youtu.be/APATLrEte9s width:560 height:315 align:center] Family Guy sure has a way of saying what we’re all thinking, like the time me and Brian...wait, no. Nice try, but I'm not falling for it.

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Path to Publication 2.3: Sequelitis

May 27th, 2014

My debut novel, New Yorked, will be published by Exhibit A Books in January 2015. Until then, I'll be writing about the path to getting that book published... Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema. Full stop.  

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LURID: Dracula - The Grandaddy Of Them All

May 26th, 2014

LURID: vivid in shocking detail; sensational, horrible in savagery or violence, or, a guide to the merits of the kind of Bad Books you never want your co-workers to know you're reading. My revenge is just begun! I spread it over centuries, and time is on my side.

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Poetry Fun-0-1: How to Write a Sonnet

May 23rd, 2014

I love sonnets. The only poem I have memorized is a sonnet. I probably wouldn't be a poet if sonnets didn't exist; I'd have to invent them or something. Sonnets are the best. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, though. Let me back up a bit. What exactly is a sonnet anyway?

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4 Signs That You're Not Writing Enough...and 4 Things You Can Do About It

May 23rd, 2014

I hate writing, I love having written. ― Dorothy Parker

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Product Review: Scrivener

May 21st, 2014

We writers have multiple word processing options at our disposal, with perhaps the most prominent being Microsoft Word and Apple Pages for prose fiction, and Final Draft and Celtx for screenwriting. Both these and other software work quite well, particularly if you've already built up a collection of templates with standard manuscript formatting in place.

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Like a Broken Record: Are There Really Only Seven Plots?

May 20th, 2014

The human mind has its limits. We seek patterns, and find solace in the safe and familiar. It’s only natural, since that which is new may also be dangerous. But does it also prevent us from creating anything entirely original?     Everyone has heard the old saying about art imitating life. People have been pondering over the nature of art and originality for thousands of years, which technically makes this post a part of an ancient Escher-like loop of unoriginal commentary about unoriginal commentary.

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