writing

Most writing is done between the mind and the hand not between the hand and the page. Janet Burroway

'Writing a novel is actually searching for victims. As I write I keep looking for casualties. The stories uncover the casualties.' John Irving

“Hard writing makes easy reading.” Wallace Stegner

Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do - the actual act of writing - turns out to be the best part. It's like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea...

'The art of writing is to explain the complications of the human soul with the simplicity that can be universally understood.' Allan Sillitoe

Writing is...being able to take something whole and fiercely alive that exists inside you in some unknowable combination of thought, feeling, physicality, and spirit, and to then store it like a genie intense, tiny black symbols on a calm white page. Mary Gaitskill

There's a lot of tasteful writing out there—nice, tidy, clean—but sometimes it's excess, rawness and the unpolished that work. Dan Vyleta

Hi everyone, That question above – What fills you with wonder? – I've been thinking about it lately, thinking about what I like to read (all kinds of things) and what I like to write (mostly fantasy). I love that feeling of awe, that feeling of smallness that wonderful things engender. The...

I've been thinking about backstory and how best to handle it, and I find my self wondering what you think. I've also been thinking about the received wisdom of craft in general – learn the "rules" before you break them, show-don't-tell-or-go-to-hell, don't write on a Tuesday when the wind is in...

Hi, all. I am surprised to find myself enjoying twitter (I know, a decade late. Hey, I had dial up internet not too long ago!) I am finding many poets and writers there helping each other. Maybe it's because I am new to it and being careful who I follow--and who follows me? I expected to find...

Hello, I've just joined Litopia and am looking forward to meeting fellow-writers. I work in international education, but my true passion is, and always has been, writing. I have been agented before, but seem to be jinxed in that department ... my last literary agent had to close down his...

Morning! Thought I'd put my foot in the door a little bit and get to know a few of my fellow writer's habits. With that said: "What is everyone's drink of choice? What stirs your writing senses--stimulates the nerve-endings in your fingers and drives your writing? Flipping it around--what...

:) The Year of Writing Dangerously

Litopians! Arise and congregate! October is a great month for writing conferences. There are so many, and such a variety to choose from. If you can't attend a conference this coming month, simply put it on your "To do" list for the future. There is no greater opportunity for hobnobbing with...

Fellow Litopians, lend me your ears... I have set up Final Polish Editorial Services to help authors cross the finish line, to ensure all your hard work is given the best possible chance of success, because we all become word blind to our work. I'm a long-standing member of Litopia (back to...

A familiar topic here. I tend to write early evening, myself, fuelled by cups of tea I then forget to drink. And also, insulting publishers without justification, just because I saw this absurd cartoon -

Litopians! Arise and Compete! I've put together more than two dozen free writing contests coming up in August. They cover the full range of topics, styles and genres, from short stories, to essays, to poetry, to full-length works. Some offer substantial prizes. (Please look at the "Writing...

June is a great month for writing conferences. It's vacation time for anyone attending school, and with the warm weather and free time, conferences proliferate. (Keep an eye on July!) I've said it before, and I will say it again - conferences are not only the best way to meet agents, get tips...

Liptopians! Arise and compete! There are nearly three dozen free contests in June. They cover the full range of topics, styles and genres, from essays, to poetry, to full-length works. In addition to the prestige of winning a contest, some of the monetary prizes this month are substantial...

Isn't this the way of writing, and maybe also the doom? That like Penelope, you weave at your loom, and unravel your work in the night, and do it again next day - one difference being, she was besieged by suitors where we - I- ain't exactly under siege from desirous .... editors. (But who wants...