Inspiration, Influence, or Something Else?
If you read a poem or story and you write something based on your reaction, is it okay? So at what point is it NOT okay? Of course if you copy lines, that’s definitely taboo. But what if, when someone reads your work and thinks “Oh, xxxx wrote a piece like this, too.”? Have you crossed […]
Do You Have Great Expectations?
Recently I was discussing a book with one of my friends, and I told her I didn’t get what I expected to get from it and was disappointed. She asked me How do I decide what I expect from a book, and Do I always expect something? Hmmm…I hadn’t ever tried to define my feelings […]
The Three R’s
Schools were already divided into grades and contained in brick building complexes by the time I got there, in spite of what my children and grandchildren will tell you, but the original one-room schoolhouse concentrated on simple education of the three R’s . Readin’, (w)ritin’, and (a)rithmetic. ‘Rithmetic wasn’t my fortè, yet I grew up and […]
The Cost of Critique…part 2
Last week I concentrated on what I consider to be the greatest danger of critique – losing faith in yourself and your writing. Another danger in throwing your baby to the wolves is losing your story. Yes, that’s what I said. You see, you often get so much feedback that it overwhelms you. One person […]
Tell the Whole Story
Did you ever read a book, or watch a movie, that didn’t seem to go anywhere? Page after page, scene after scene, things happen, but the story doesn’t seem to have a point? Bo and I recently rented Foxcatcher, a movie that touted Five! Five Academy Award nominations! Briefly, it’s the story of John DuPont and […]
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