Hot Words at a Writing Retreat This year's WriterPath Retreat closed with an exercise that generated some terrific "hot" words. We sat in a circle as each writer pitched their concept, character transformational statement, log line, thematic significance statement--we didn't care what technique they used. We simply wanted them to briefly convey the essence of their story in a way that made us want more. Everyone had 2 minutes both for their pitch and to receive feedback. Then we came back …
3 Common Plot Questions from Writers
Picking 3 Common Plot Questions from Writers wasn't as easy as the request sounds - Jennie Nash, moderator for the Dream Team panel at last month's LA Writers Conference, requested I send her 2-3 of the most common questions writers ask me and 2-3 of the questions I WISH writers would ask. Writer and literary events organizer, Cynthia Levin had invited me to the event that turned out to reflect the most diverse group of writers I've had the privilege to work with and set on the most …
Writers Digest Named Plot Whisperer One of Its 101 Best Websites for Writers
+Writers Digest named Plot Whisperer one of its 101 Best Websites for Writers in 2015 The first time Plot Whisperer blog was named one of Writers Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers Award was in 2009. At the time, I wondered if anyone was even reading my blog. The award came quite unexpectedly. That a top change-maker in the writing field honored me in this way changed the way I viewed the posts I write for writers. Writers Digest named Plot Whisperer one of its Best Websites for Writers …
Writers Digest Named Plot Whisperer One of Its 101 Best Websites for WritersRead More
The Ebb and Flow of Creativity
The ebb and flow of creativity affects us all. Some days you're energized for writing and creating. Other days, you're sluggish and uninspired. We tend to revel in the up days and beat ourselves up on the down days. Living at the beach gives me a real sense of this ebb and flow. The waves come crashing in only to slowly back off and begin to ebb. The tide comes in. The tide goes out. Just because you have an off day, doesn't mean you won't ever have another great day. Just because the words …
What Is Dramatic Action?
Is dramatic action more than action? More than simply doing? What qualifies action as dramatic action? I just read the following feedback from a writer watching Video #5 of the 27-Step Tutorial: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay. "Note to self - Running and in character's head is NOT action! Yup, got it! I guess I just needed to be hit a few more times in the head to get it! Thanks Martha! Love these How To Plot videos!" What is Dramatic Action? Running is action. It's just not …
Follow Me!