Why Your Self-Promotion Sucks I just consulted a musician in England. When I asked him what he did he said, “Well, uh… I guess… uh… it’s hard to explain really. I write songs… and I play gigs…” That’s a terrible way to make an impression that someone will remember. I say this not because [...]
Tell me How to Begin
What do I want to write about? How do I begin?? Why won’t anything come into my mind??? Calm down. Those are three thoughts that just popped into your mind. Write them down on a piece of paper, or type them on your computer. Which thoughts? The “What do I…” “How do [...]
Posted by peternevland on February 13, 2013
http://howtowriteworkshops.com/tell-me-how-to-begin/
Writing Dialogue for Dummies
“Gimme yours.” “No.” “I said, give it to me.” “Uh-uh.” “I’m gonna tell your mom if you don’t.” “Fine.” “I WANT YOUR KIT KAT!!! GIMME IT NOW, YOU…” Dialogue. Makes you feel characters. Your imagination hostage to the writer’s will. Sights, smells and scenery all beam vivid [...]
Posted by peternevland on January 23, 2013
http://howtowriteworkshops.com/writing-dialogue-for-dummies/
Writing Lame Introductions…
That’s what you usually do. Of course, it’s not your fault (until now). School trained you to start with mind-numbing generalities when you wrote essays. Sentences like “Everyone in the world needs to breathe.” Or “We all have to die sometime.” This advice told you to start with a surprising fact, definition or a quote. [...]
Posted by peternevland on November 21, 2012
http://howtowriteworkshops.com/writing-lame-introductions/
Harnessing the Power of What You Don’t Say
They’re watching… It freaks me out when I see my face on a computer screen… in Sheffield, England… surrounded by attentive people… in the dark. The realities of YouTube don’t really sink in until you find out that people across the ocean pay attention to what you have to say. When they do what [...]
Posted by peternevland on September 18, 2012
http://howtowriteworkshops.com/harnessing-the-power-of-what-you-dont-say/
A Cure for the Fear of Your Writing Students
She tiptoes to the edge of the cliff, breathing heavily. Her friends watch in horror, shaking with the thought that they’ll be next. Then she reads, words coming haltingly at first, but rushing out in torrents by the time she finishes. She looks at the red-haired instructor, expecting his disapproval… Every writing workshop I [...]
Posted by peternevland on August 24, 2012
http://howtowriteworkshops.com/a-cure-for-the-fear-of-your-writing-students/