Columns

Book Brawl: Tina Fey’s 'Bossypants' Vs. Mindy Kaling’s 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)'

December 22nd, 2011

Every month, I throw two books, somehow related, into the readers’ ring to fight it out for the honor of literary champion. This month we’ve got memoirs from two sassy, hilarious leading ladies on the NBC Thursday night comedy lineup: Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Who will take the title? Let’s find out!

Read Column →

The Art of the Live Reading

December 21st, 2011

As with most things writing-related, live reading is a skill acquired through practice, and doesn't come easy.  In fact, the ratio of how much you write compared to how much you read your own stuff aloud is probably completely slanted. But that’s okay.  That’s what we're here to discuss.  So let’s start off by getting the obvious part out of the way.

Read Column →

Putting An End To Plot Conveniences

December 21st, 2011

Header images via Andrea Piacquadio & DLKR One common mistake in fiction writing can be illustrated with a story I once submitted for an MFA workshop. In my story, the main character is constantly tormented by an older, bullying acquaintance.

Read Column →

That’s So Meta: Writing A Story About Writing A Story

December 20th, 2011

Header images via pexels: 1, 2 Back to the Parks If you remember a few posts back, I offered you the short story “A Continuity of Parks” by Julio Córtazar as an example of the nonlinear narrative structure.

Read Column →

The Wild West World of eBook Only Erotica (NSFW)

December 19th, 2011

EDITOR'S NOTE: All links in this article should be considered armed and dangerous, and are to be approached with caution in the workplace. Where to begin?

Read Column →

Ask The Lit Coach: 'Should Writers Censor Their Work Because They Fear Agent Or Editor Rejection?'

December 19th, 2011

In the preface of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wilde very starkly lays out the aim of the artist - "The artist is the creator of beautiful things." And the aim of art itself is "to reveal art and conceal the artist." The critic, be it your workshop peers, agents, editors, your reading public, reviewers, etc., "is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things." 

Read Column →

Top Ten Comics That Should Be A TV Series

December 16th, 2011

There aren't a ton of can't-miss television shows when it comes to my weekly viewing habits, but one series I love that has taken off and become somewhat of a cable sensation is The Walking Dead, which is based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman. Comic book properties making their way to television isn't exactly a new phenomenon, as there have been numerous cartoons and live-action series, but none have managed to reach the level of sophistication and drama that The Walking Dead has achieved over the course of just a season and a half.

Read Column →

Buying Guide: How To Shop For A Writer This Holiday Season

December 16th, 2011

The gift-giving season is upon us! If you're not done shopping yet, and you've got a writer in your life, we're here to help!  Here's a list of gifts that any writer would love. They come in a variety of price ranges, to compensate for how wealthy/cheap you may be, but most importantly, they are thoughtful, useful gifts that any writer would appreciate. (For example, I am a writer, and I would appreciate anything on this list. So there's your proof!)

Read Column →

On Dialogue Tags: Why Anything Besides 'Said' And 'Asked' Is Lazy Writing

December 15th, 2011

Chortled* is a verb. The definition is: To laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle. And it is a horrible, terrible, stupid word. For me it conjures the image of an obese woman laughing through a mouthful of spray cheese. I don’t know where it came from, but I do know we should send it back and light it on fire.  Wait. Deep breath.  Let’s step back for a second.

Read Column →

A Reader’s Confession: I Dog-Ear My Books.

December 15th, 2011

I dog-ear my books. I do. I underline and highlight passages, scribble in the margins. The first thing I do when I buy a paperback is to crease the spine for easier pocket-stuffing. I read my books in the bath, on the beach, in the rain, while camping. My library therefore looks a little worse for wear, but trust me that it’s better for love.

Read Column →