Monthly Archives: November 2011

Recycling Rag

Here’s a fascinating story that may encourage you to dust off a project of your own that’s been languishing. It’s inspired by a movie I just caught on TV based on a play called “The Matchmaker.” Written by Thornton Wilder, … Continue reading

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Truth Teller

“The three things that are most essential to achievement are common sense, hard work and stick-to-it-ive-ness.” Thomas Edison Common sense, hard work, and persistence: Edison is a guy who knew a lot about all three of these qualities. He barely … Continue reading

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Emotion Recollected

“I have said that poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility…” William Wordsworth, Preface to Lyrical Ballads “Emotion recollected in tranquility” — for some mysterious reason, this phrase popped into … Continue reading

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Writing Aloud

“On the Milwaukee Journal I had formed the habit of talking aloud to myself as I wrote….I discovered that talking aloud while writing made the thing more real to me and to the reader. The words came alive.” Edna Ferber … Continue reading

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Missed Opportunities

Dramatic moments: they are the stuff, not just of great plays, but of great films and great novels. As writers, we are always looking for ways to heighten emotions and pump up the drama in our work in realistic and … Continue reading

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Happy Thanksgiving

God’s World Edna St. Vincent Millay “O world, I cannot hold thee close enough! Thy winds, thy wide gray skies! Thy mists, that roll and rise! Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag And all but cry with … Continue reading

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Still Going

Four billion sold — and counting. No, I’m not talking about Big Macs; it’s the number of Agatha Christie novels that have been sold around the world. Only the Bible and Shakespeare are more popular. Dame Agatha was born 120 … Continue reading

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Simple Eloquence

“The simpler you say it, the more eloquent it is.” August Wilson Asked one day if he enjoyed a talented pianist’s technique, Thornton Wilder answered that his command of the piano was impressive, “But,” he added, “I don’t enjoy his … Continue reading

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Deliberate Practice

“Practice makes perfect:” We’ve all heard this saying. But it turns out that this may not be true after all. Instead, it might be more accurate to say that “perfect practice makes perfect.” That’s what Geoff Colvin contends in his … Continue reading

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Making Progress

Writing may be rewriting, but it’s also editing — moving pieces of text from one spot to another. I’ve been doing quite a bit of this lately in YA novel and it’s challenging. As soon as soon as you move … Continue reading

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