“A prologue sets the stage for a story’s main narrative by providing context and background information. Authors may use prologues to do any or all of the following: Introduce characters, setting, or story: Provide background details or backstory to help readers understand the story’s world and central conflict. For example, a sci-fi book might describe an alien…
Category: Writing Tips
Make Art about the Things that Bring You Joy — Create with Passion
A few days ago, I wrote about the challenges I face as an older writer and painter. Today, I want to flip that coin. I can honestly say that now that I am older, I don’t feel the same pressure that I faced when I was younger– the pressure to please some faceless mass, to…
Write The First Draft of Your Picture Book – Write First, Edit Later
Write the First Draft of Your Picture Book. Don’t Title Your Story Until You Have Finished Writing It. Write the book in your natural voice–pretend that you are simply talking. Write the First Draft of Your Picture Book In A Stream of Consciousness. Don’t stop writing to edit or to check your spelling. Just Write…
Read to Write — Reading More Will Improve Your Writing
During the first years of my career, I worked exclusively as a visual artist. I painted, and I taught art. Before that, I had earned both BA and MA degrees in English, but I somehow landed as a visual artist and after college, my primary purpose for reading was for understanding how to better improve…
14-Day Picture Book Challenge Day 2 – Write a PB First Draft in A Stream of Consciousness – What is Writing in a Stream of Conciousness?
Write in Stream of Consciousness to Hush Your Self-Editor Something about writing seems to intimidate and/or frighten many people. Writing in a Stream of Consciousness can help get you past that hurdle of fear of writing. What Is Stream of Consciousness Writing? a person’s thoughts and conscious reactions to events, perceived as a continuous flow….
Writers Must Learn to Promote Themselves – The Importance of SEO or Search Engine Optimization
Perhaps it was different even 10 years ago, but in today’s market, writers must learn to promote themselves. And to that, I add that in the process, they must also learn how to harness Google. When I first began writing, I made the good decision to launch several blog sites. I have known for years…
My Intuition Actually Wrote My Debut Picture Book, The Donkey’s Song, I Just Typed
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free” – Michelangelo – My intuition is the author of my most successful writing. In fact, my intuition wrote my debut picture book, The Donkey’s Song, which is ready for pre-order now at Amazon. The Donkey’s Song is not like anything that…
Frances Gilbert Tweets about the Rule of 3s
“In storytelling, authors often create triplets or structures in three parts.” Wikipedia For instance: Rumpelstiltskin spins thrice for the heroine and lets her guess his name thrice over a period of three days. Wikipedia In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Marley’s Ghost tells Ebenezer Scrooge he will receive visits from three spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and…