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Is It Really Writer’s Block?
I was staring at a blank page and I had nothing. That’s not quite true. I had notes on 5×8 cards, I had my ideas for the scene, I had the chronology of events for the scene, I knew my characters. And still, I sat on my bed, staring at a blank computer screen. I had to ask myself, what’s wrong here? I don’t believe in writer’s block, so what is keeping me from at least typing the notes I’ve already hand written. It was simple. I was sitting on the wrong side of the bed. No, really. I write in bed, for one reason because my legs are short and they dangle, which is uncomfortable for long periods of time, so I like my legs propped and the bed is the best … Read entire article »
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LOOK HERE for FREEBIES and eBOOKS to PURCHASE
Women Alone 10 Stories, 10 Voices in Transition Purchase for $4.99 on Amazon Kindle Now $2.99 for a limited time … Read more »
The Bus Boy
If you were an aging alcoholic who spent most of the last years of your life homeless…and finally landed a job … Read more »
Living a Writer’s Life
Mapping Your Life as a Writer What does it mean to you to become a writer? At what … Read more »
Popular
Interview, Blog on Critiquing, Upcoming Seminar
1 Kris Wampler, author of Love Train, interviewed me on his indie writer's blog on January 12 covering a … Read more »
Finding True North
Drawing by Jamie Hansen. When I started writing, I wanted to figure out for myself what I … Read more »
Writing Essentials Guest Blog
Morgen Bailey, a writer who supports writers with interviews and guest blogs on her sites, has written a guest blog for me at nancyellendodd.com called "Writing Essentials." Morgen lives in the UK and is a … Read more »
Latest
New Review of The Writer’s Compass
Thank you to “A Wandering Mind” for taking time to explore The Writer’s Compass and post about it on your blog. https://awanderingminddotme.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/the-writers-compass-a-review-part-1/ … Read entire article »
Writing Essentials Guest Blog
Morgen Bailey, a writer who supports writers with interviews and guest blogs on her sites, has written a guest blog for me at nancyellendodd.com called “Writing Essentials.” Morgen lives in the UK and is a prolific writer. One of the things she excels at is creating a writing presence on the web. She has turned her success into a new business helping others to create their own blog sites. Her article can be found at http://nancyellendodd.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/writing-essentials-from-morgen-bailey/. Morgen Bailey morgen@morgenbailey.com http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com http://icanbuildyourwritingblog.wordpress.com By the way, she has an interview with me posted at http://morgensauthorinterviews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/author-interview-no37-nancy-dodd.html. … Read entire article »
Finding Time to Write – 4 Tips
It doesn’t get easier. If it’s not planned for–it just doesn’t happen, unless you are in the “habit.” How do you get in the habit? Find the time of day when you can most avoid interruptions. If the baby wakes up at 6:10 am, then 6:00 am is not a good time to choose. If you are perpetually late to work because you can’t … Read entire article »
Coming Soon – Private Consultations
As per popular request, in May opportunities will be available for private video consulting on a fee ($50) per hour basis. Prior to that I will schedule free 15-minute sessions (1 free session only). Sessions will be available from 7:00-10:00 pm PST, Monday thru Thursdays, If one of these sessions interests you, please email me at nancy {at} nancyellendodd {dot} com to let me know which session you are interested in and a preferred time. … Read entire article »
Be the Antagonist – Creative Writing Exercise
Be the Antagonist Creative Writing Exercise View yourself as the antagonist to the hero in your story. •What do you think your hero wants? •Why do you want to stop the hero from succeeding? •What are three things you will do to stop the hero from getting what he or she wants? •What do you, the antagonist, want? •How far will you go to stop the hero and get what you want? Write a few paragraphs describing: 1. Who you are 2. What the story is about? 3, Why you have to win? 4. Whether you succeed? If you would like to share, post in the comments section and email me – nancy *at* nancyellendodd*dot*com – so that I can be sure your comment does not go into the spam trap. … Read entire article »
More on Story Mapping and the 7 Stages
You Know That Hole in Your Story? You Don’t? Here’s How to Find It Using a story map is a great tool for figuring out where the holes are in your story and then developing ideas for filling in those gaps. Morgen Bailey has added a guest blog post I wrote on story mapping and the 7 stages at is http://wp.me/p18Ztn-2bs. … Read entire article »
Creating Ideas for the Middle Act
How do you fill in the middle? Starting your story with a great hook, the climax, and the ending are often parts of the story writers have in mind when they begin their story. When it comes to the middle, it is often a big hole in the story that stops writers from continuing. Where do writers find ideas to create … Read entire article »
Screenwriting 101
Maybe even tougher than selling poetry is selling a screenplay. While there is nonstop television programming and movies available, how many of those are reruns? The cost of creating a movie or a new television show is high and only limited financing is available. Getting distribution can be as daunting as getting financing. But, wait! That being said, with today’s technology and new media, it is easier than ever to create your own video and get it seen by an audience on the internet. This is what I tell my screenwriting students, “Get together with your friends and do it yourself.” However, you’ll want to start with a good screenplay. This was an article written as a … Read entire article »
Writers Lost in Need of Finding
Yesterday I spent time with a friend, who is a writer, helping him rewrite an article. The problem was that a national magazine had asked him for an article about an ordeal he had faced with his health. When the magazine editor got the article from him, they reassigned it to another writer to rewrite according to the magazine’s “style.” My friend hated the rewritten article. It no longer had his voice, although written in first person, and because the person the magazine assigned didn’t know my friend or talk to him for more details, the new writer had made up dialogue and events to serve the story’s theme rather than using the facts. My friend felt he had two choices. Rewrite the article … Read entire article »
Reaching the Christian Market
This post has been moved to http://nancyellendodd.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/reaching-the-christian-market/. … Read entire article »
The Writer’s Compass Video Presentation
September 15, 2011, my 45-minute lecture at the Pepperdine Payson Library was videotaped and can be accessed for free here. http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/nancy-dodd-the-writers-compass/id499064657 … Read entire article »
New Audio Interview on Writing and the 7 Stages
Wise Bear Media Audio Interview Quinn Barrett, author of Invisible Snow, interviews me on writing and the 7 Stages for an audio podcast which can be found at: http://www.wisebearbooks.com/2012/01/26/podcast-nancy-ellen-dodd/ http://youtu.be/LMDq9LDdkfw http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wisebearbooks/2012/01/26/meet-nancy-ellen-dodd-author-of-the-writers-compass January 26, 2012 … Read entire article »
Event Update
I’ll be speaking at the Writers of Kern meeting at The Clarion Hotel in Bakersfield on Saturday morning. The meeting starts at 10:00 and my presentation will be from 11:15 to noon. … Read entire article »
Interview, Blog on Critiquing, Upcoming Seminar
1 Kris Wampler, author of Love Train, interviewed me on his indie writer’s blog on January 12 covering a variety of topics indie writers may be interested in reading. In the interview we discuss: the 3 most common mistakes writers make, the 3 things a writer should do first, what are the signs of a well-written article or story, getting criticism, and … Read entire article »
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