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Knowing What You’re Writing About

Knowing What You’re Writing About

Some of us start out knowing we have a message, something important we want to say about life or an issue or the world or society. Sometimes we have an idea from an event or a painting or music that inspires us to write, but it takes awhile to really understand what it is that we would like to say. And sometimes what we want to say changes as a story progresses–it may become more … Read entire article »

Filed under: About Writing

Finding True North

Finding True North

Drawing by Jamie Hansen. When I started writing, I wanted to figure out for myself what I was missing and what I was doing wrong. I figured a good writer shouldn’t always need to rely on feedback from others to get the story right. Not that feedback isn’t extremely helpful, sometimes you really need outside objectivity. The problem was in relying too much on outside feedback. How do you know when you have it right? You don’t always. And … Read entire article »

Filed under: The 7 Stage Process, About Writing

What Others Are Saying

Blogs RECENTLY ADDED Angela Booth’s Writing Blog Angela Booth, a writer and teacher, has posted a blog I wrote about The Writer’s Compass on her site and is encouraging those who have read TWC to post comments at http://www.angelabooth.biz/2011/07/the-writers-compass-by-nancy-ellen-dodd.html. July 16, 2011 The Lit Chick Show Video Interview Sylvia Massara posted a video interview of me discussing The Writer’s Compass on her site at http://www.litchickshow.com/2011/07/writers-compass-for-lit-chick-show.html. July 15, 2011 Morgen Bailey’s Blog Interview with me at http://wp.me/p18Ztn-lb. June 30, 2011 New Book Journal Posted press release about “The Writer’s Compass by Nancy Ellen Dodd” http://newbookjournal.com/2011/06/the-writers-compass-by-nancy-ellen-dodd/ June 29, 2011 Creative Writing Now “Nancy Ellen Dodd on How to Write a Manuscript in 7 Stages” posted at http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-a-manuscript.html. June 17, 2011 Your Plot Thickens Lara Sterling discusses “What’s at Stake and Giving Your Story a Sense of Urgency” and how The Writer’s Compass developing them at http://yourplotthickens.blogspot.com/2011/06/whats-at-stake-and-giving-your-story.html. June 10, 2011 “Highlighted Author” Charlene A. Wilson highlights … Read entire article »

Filed under: Uncategorized

Message in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle

Writing Exercise This writing exercise can be found in Chapter 4 of The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages. You are enjoying yourself on a cruise ship when an unexpected storm comes up and a wave washes you overboard. You manage to cling to a life preserver that went over with you and finally float to a small deserted island. You remain alone on the island as the days and weeks and months … Read entire article »

Filed under: Writing Exercises