I do my best writing organically, sitting down with a vague idea and getting to work – so the idea of intense outlining and planning is a daunting one. Faint memories of three-act structures and archaic plot graphs come to mind, but I was on the hunt for something more compelling. Fortunately for me and other writers in need, the NaNoWriMo website offers a wealth of strategies to lean back on.
Tag: writing tips
Tips from an Intern
The important thing to remember when publishing is to expect rejection but keep fighting for it. Ideally, you get into writing for a reason, a passion, a desire — don’t lose sight of that.
Creating Space
by Jaclyn Tockstein As a senior in the Professional & Digital Writing major (with only a few weeks left until graduation), I'd like to tell a short story about the importance of creating space for the purpose of creativity. Like many of you, I went through most of my schooling believing I was perhaps a … Continue reading Creating Space
Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory: A Tool for Detail
by Renee Seledotis Ernest Hemingway’s “Iceberg Theory” states that the deeper meaning of a story should shine through implicitly. Like an iceberg, the surface of the story, what is revealed to the reader, should be barely anything compared to what lies beneath. The more the author knows about the story, the fuller and richer it … Continue reading Hemingway’s Iceberg Theory: A Tool for Detail
Creating Art from the Ugly: Finding Motivation to Write in Quarantine
by Caitlyn Ulery When we were first asked to quarantine ourselves back in March, I believed it was a blessing. With my classes and my job moving fully online, surely I would have infinite free time to devote to writing! I had grand intentions of writing daily, of creating at least one noteworthy poem a … Continue reading Creating Art from the Ugly: Finding Motivation to Write in Quarantine
Pinterest as a Writing Tool
by Cassidy Eubanks Pinterest: A popular place to compile recipes (Easy French Macaron: pinned to “Yummm” board), DIY projects (DIY: Tank Tops (Muscle Tees): pinned to “Useful” board), and wedding plans (Lord of the Rings Inspired Wedding Day, pinned to “Autumn Wedding” board). But today we’re going to discuss a lesser-known function of this site: … Continue reading Pinterest as a Writing Tool
Using University Writing Centers as a Creative Writer
Many writers go to university writing centers for help with academic writing, such as essays and assignments for classes, but what about creative writing? Writing centers, like the Oakland University Writing Center (OUWC), provide an invaluable resource to writers looking to improve their ability and their papers; however, many writers may not consider that the … Continue reading Using University Writing Centers as a Creative Writer
Show and Tell
When describing a character’s feelings, skillful writers do not just “tell” the reader how the character feels. They “show” by using imagery. Imagery is a language that paints vivid pictures for the reader. It often appeals to the Five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sight: how does it look? Sound: What does the … Continue reading Show and Tell
Why You Should Look Back at the Stories You Wrote as a Kid
Ah, kids. They say the craziest things. They also tell the most interesting, compelling stories that make absolutely no sense at all. Or at least, I did when I was a kid. I have a box in my basement that’s just full of weird stories I wrote when I was younger—a kingdom of cats … Continue reading Why You Should Look Back at the Stories You Wrote as a Kid
Sappho in Paris: The Poetic Value of Lexical Cosmopolitanism
Despite the occasional vague pronoun reference or f-bomb, I've always fancied myself a relatively articulate and polite English speaker (growing up so close to Canada has its consequences). En français, however, I undergo a Jekyll-like transformation from Midwestern Judith Martin to angry truck driver doing stand up for the French navy. A typical conversation is … Continue reading Sappho in Paris: The Poetic Value of Lexical Cosmopolitanism
Oakland Arts Review 