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The Writer's Compass » Entries tagged with "7 stages"

When to Ask for Feedback

For some people, never is a good time to ask for feedback. Some writers don’t feel the need for input from others or at the most only one or two selected and trusted writers. Some writers feel that by sharing their work with others prematurely, they dispel the energy of writing. Other writers are anxious to get feedback, sharing their stories with critique groups, family, friends, anybody they can get to listen. The best time to ask for feedback is when you understand what you need to know to improve your work. Let’s face it, we all want to hear how someone loved our story. We want an adoring group listening as we read the lines we’ve sweated over. I used to drive my younger daughters crazy reading drafts of stories to them. … Read entire article »

Filed under: The 7 Stage Process, About Writing, Critiques and Feedback

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 »

Filed under: Becoming A Writer, The 7 Stage Process, About Writing

New Year’s Approach to Writing

New Year’s Approach to Writing

Donna Renzulli, author of the children’s book “Dangerous Reading,” posted an interview with me on her blog “A Writing Primate” as an inspiration for New Year’s resolutions for writers. http://awritingprimate.com/2011/12/30/nancy-ellen-dodd-author-of-the-writers-compass/. Below are the questions she asked: Tell us what you mean by developing a “mind-set” for writing, and how important is it to the creative process? You equate story-telling with building a house: foundation, adding structure of walls and roof, the flooring, painting and adding designer touches. Elaborate for us … Read entire article »

Filed under: Becoming A Writer, About Writing, The Writer's Life

Now Available on Kindle

Now Available on Kindle

Yeah! The Writer’s Compass is now available on Kindle at http://www.amazon.com/The-Writers-Compass-ebook/dp/B005G4W0UI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1312640245&sr=8-2. Thank you Dale Blee for letting me know it was available. It should be up on other eBook formats soon. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Table of Contents, Introduction, About Writing

10 Tips for Home Schooling

10 Tips for Home Schooling

Since two of my daughters home school, one with a child old enough to use The Writer’s Compass as a tool for teaching creative writing, I though it appropriate to create “10 Tips for Home Schooling.” Although I teach creative writing at the undergraduate and graduate level, I believe that this book is useful to students at the high school and junior high level and some of my methods may be useful for you to use … Read entire article »

Filed under: About Writing, Uncategorized

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

Writer’s Digest Interview

Writer’s Digest Interview

To read more of the following excerpt go to: http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass-interview/ Continued at http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass-interview/ … Read entire article »

Filed under: Writer's Digest

The Picture Map

The Picture Map

Writing Exercise: Turning the Story Map Into a Picture Map   Because of my concern that the structure chart and story map would be misinterpreted as a linear development process, I used my artistic skills (not) to create a picture map. The picture map overlays the structure chart and uses the ideas from the story map to create images. The picture map can be created to look like a scene or it can be a conglomeration of pictures … Read entire article »

Filed under: The Picture Map, Writing Exercises

Living a Writer’s Life

Living a Writer’s Life

Mapping Your Life as a Writer   What does it mean to you to become a writer? At what point will you feel like a writer? What will being a writer look like in your everyday world? Chapter 11 discusses what living as a writer means including: 9 Qualities of Successful Writers Do you need talent or luck? Effective Networking Do you need a writer’s group? Entering Writing Competitions Setting Goals that Make Sense Combining Writing with Another Career Quality Writing Can I Make … Read entire article »

Filed under: The Writer's Life, Featured

The 7 Stage Process

The 7 Stage Process

Developing the 7 Stages   The 7-Stage process systematically develops a story one level at a time, every stage building on the last. Each stage focuses on an area of development that works through key obstacles to create a strong story. Charting the essential elements of storytelling with your ideas across a story map lays the foundation for your story. Progressing systematically through each stage helps you develop your story with the least number of revisions. The 7 … Read entire article »

Filed under: The 7 Stage Process, Featured

Mapping the Elements of Good Storytelling

Mapping the Elements of Good Storytelling

If you have read books on writing or attended very many lectures, you have probably learned a few writing rules, along with several different terms for describing the elements of good storytelling. As I note on page 12 in the book, I have only two rules for writing: 1) Never allow anyone to convince you to cut something from your story that your gut tells you belongs—at least until you know why you wrote it … Read entire article »

Filed under: The Story Map, Featured

Writer’s Digest Posts About The Writer’s Compass

Writer’s Digest Posts About The Writer’s Compass

To read more of the following excerpt go to: http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass/ … Read entire article »

Filed under: Writer's Digest