Writing – Page 3 – Ami Maxine

What do you wish someone had told you when you first began to write?

Recently, I was asked “What do you wish someone had told you when you first began to write?” And honestly, it stumped me in the same way “What is your favorite book?” or “Who is your favorite author?” stumps me – in that I have far too many answers that I can’t possibly narrow itContinue reading “What do you wish someone had told you when you first began to write?”

What’s in a Name? (Author Edition)

I still remember the first time I saw my name in print. The experience was exhilarating. In a “right place, right time” scenario, I had learned that the county paper was looking for someone to write the weekly column of my town’s news (the previous person having just retired). I was a freshman in highContinue reading “What’s in a Name? (Author Edition)”

Tracking: Multiple Projects

Probably the most difficult thing I’ve found to track/wrap my head around is tracking multiple projects. This is new to me. In grad school, when I was writing multiple short stories all at once while working on my thesis, there still wasn’t all that much to track (mostly because there was one destination for theseContinue reading “Tracking: Multiple Projects”

Tracking: Timeline

I’m a planner person. Leading up to the new year, I sit down and draw out weekly schedule templates in my bullet journal. Because of the nature of my job, my life gets planned four months (a semester) at a time. I am the queen of to do lists. And I get teased mercilessly forContinue reading “Tracking: Timeline”

Tracking: Plot

I remember early on in my learning about writing stories being taught Freytag’s pyramid: introduction/exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denouement. At the time, the simple structure made sense and worked just fine with the types of short stories I was writing at the time. As my instruction went on, as my stories became moreContinue reading “Tracking: Plot”

Tracking: Characters

I’m part of a really stellar online, global writing community. I found them, actually, through a workout program, and they were such an unexpected bonus who have become super important in my writer world. We have a private Facebook group where people can ask questions and share resources, and I’ve found questions about a specificContinue reading “Tracking: Characters”

Rejection

I vividly remember the first rejection I received when I began to query my first book. Honestly, it was when I officially felt like a “real” writer – despite my telling my students over and over that being a writer simply means that you write. I wore that rejection like a badge of honor. AsContinue reading “Rejection”

My Characters Need to Stop Reaching for Things

When that list of “Words I Apparently Overuse” just keeps growing… Kathy Steinemann has a wonderful index of commonly overused words and long lists of alternatives. I highly recommend utilizing these as you write and as you edit.

Save Me From Myself

When you know it will be at least six weeks, probably several months, before you’ll get a response, but you can’t stop checking your email.

#10Queries and #DVPit Updates

Alas, no bites for #DVPit – which might just be the universe reminding me that I don’t need to be adding anything to my already packed to do list. I shall focus on surviving the semester and perhaps starting to query one of the manuscripts over winter break. As for #10Queries – I had heardContinue reading “#10Queries and #DVPit Updates”