The Writer's Compass » Entries tagged with "writing"
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 »
Filed under: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The Writer's Life
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 get up on time, then you probably won’t get up early to write. If Aunt … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The Writer's Life
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 guest blog for Morgen Bailey and the rest of the article is posted at http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/guest-post-screenwriting-101-by-nancy-dodd/. … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing, The Writer's Life
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: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The 7 Stage Process
Bringing Your Inner Writer to Life
January 6, 2012, Edie Crabtree wrote a review of The Writer’s Compass in the Newport Beach Independent, highlighting the book as an amazing tool for aspiring writers. “A very well mapped out book, ‘Compass’ covers every topic necessary to see a writing project through to completion, including simply setting time aside to write, and not letting the distractions of everyday life keep us from fulfilling our goals,” Crabtree says. The review and additional insights into the book can … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The Writer's Life
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: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The Writer's Life
More on Creating Characters
Mike Angley, award-winning author of the Child Finder Trilogy interviewed me for his blog. Much of the conversation had to do with developing strong characters, as well as some other thoughts I hope you will find interesting. Check out the interview and more about Mike and his trilogy at http://childfinder.us/?p=3822. Also, if you missed it, be sure to check out Sylvia L. Ramsey’s “Thoughtful Reflections” blog with our interview at http://wwwthouhtfulreflections.blogspot.com/search?q=dodd. Sylvia has some interesting questions … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing, Becoming A Writer, The Writer's Life
Article in Writers Digest
Be sure to check out my article, “Put Your Novel On The Map,” in the Writers Digest magazine January 2012 issue. The article has an interesting graphic representing a structure map and access to a free map Writers Digest created as a giveaway. … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing, The Story Map, Writer's Digest
The Short Story Ending
Writing short stories poses unique challenges. How do you tell a story that is engaging, in fewer words, with less room for character development? One of the key elements to writing a great short story is ending the story with an impact, a punch, something that brings it home as to what the story is all about. In other words, a moral to the story, an answer to a dramatic question, or a dramatic question that … Read entire article »
Filed under: About Writing
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: About Writing, The 7 Stage Process
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
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
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
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: Featured, The 7 Stage Process
Foreshadowing
To read the full excerpt on Foreshadowing posted by Writer’s Digest online, go to: http://writersdigest.com/article/writers-compass-excerpt/ … Read entire article »
Filed under: Writer's Digest
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