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The Writer's Compass » Entries tagged with "story map"

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

Amazon Reviews

If you want to know what others think about The Writer’s Compass, there have been a couple of great reviews posted on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Compass-Story-Finished-Stages/product-reviews/1599631970/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending. … Read entire article »

Filed under: 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

The Bus Boy

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 as a bus boy…what would your last dream be?   “The Bus Boy” by Nancy Ellen Dodd is a short story used as an example in The Writer’s Compass: From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages. For free access to read “The Bus Boy” go to http://issuu.com/smudgedinkpress/docs/thebusboy. The story is in text and illustrated formats. I especially want to thank all of … Read entire article »

Filed under: The Bus Boy, Featured

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

Becoming A Writer

Becoming A Writer

  Becoming A Writer The biggest difference between published writers and wannabe writers is that published writers write, and wannabe writers only dream about writing. If you want to be a writer, you have to commit to writing. It’s that simple. You don’t need a degree. You don’t need to be hired to write. You don’t need to have a career in writing. You don’t need anyone to say, “You have met the requirements, you are … Read entire article »

Filed under: Becoming A Writer

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

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Filed under: Table of Contents

Introduction to The Writer’s Compass

Introduction to The Writer’s Compass

What Will The Writer’s Compass Teach Me? The Writer’s Compass There are three approaches to The Writer’s Compass for writers: Reading through the book will teach both beginning and experienced writers new information Answering some of the questions and/or exercises will give writers new skills Digging in and doing the majority of the work suggested in the book will take your writing to a new level   As writers, we often look for answers to: How do … Read entire article »

Filed under: Introduction