When How to Think Sideways first opened, there were many fewer spots in the course than there were people hoping to get in. Hopeful students formed a cyber-queue and bit their nails till the sign-up page went live, and then … Continue reading
In this post from the Community Scrapbook, a member tells of a sticky situation and how she turned it around and then used the experience in her writing. . Cool? . Other members jumped right in, offering their takes on … Continue reading
Subplots are a puzzle for many of us when we first start working through Holly’s courses. Sometimes we have to line everything to sort them out properly. What are truly subplots, as opposed to complications of the main plot? Or … Continue reading
Part of the reason so many are drawn to Holly’s classes is that everyone knows a good story when they read it, but it’s much harder to define the specific elements that go into making a powerful, exciting and memorable … Continue reading
In the past, this member had only ever finished short stories, but now she announces that she has finished a first draft novel of nearly one-hundred eight thousand words. Hot Diggity! Some may say, “So what? It’s only a first … Continue reading
After some chat about the difficulty of finding readers for a WIP and the sad experiences with same, members examined their desire to send first drafts for critique from fellow writers or writing groups. One member recounts her negative experience–with … Continue reading
Sometimes we read something that moves us. It inspires us and pulls us in and becomes a part of who we are. Stories like that are treasured memories and old friends. For many of us, they are the tales that … Continue reading
This member joined after her first book was finished, and was feeling a bit sad that the series plot seemed to require the death of an appealing character in book two. While planning his demise, she found a note that … Continue reading
Working with characters is always a challenge, and always interesting. After all, they’re what our novels are about! Some characters are a little more challenging than others, though. Have any of you written from the point of view of a child? … Continue reading
Writers write because we have to. Or because we have something to say. Or because our muses won’t leave us alone until we do. And then sometimes we get stuck, or simply become overwhelmed, or . . . whatever. Things … Continue reading