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Carol S. Mann
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Bits and Pieces
“Think in blue, in green, in starlight, in song, in a blessing, in beauty, in gratitude.”
The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman
Tag Archives: short story
Short Story Settings
Choosing a short story setting seems to occur in two ways. Sometimes the choice is conscious and sometimes it’s not. For example, there may be a setting an author likes and simply knows that one day they will write a … Continue reading
When Your Story Setting Chooses You
You may have visited or lived in a place you knew would become a setting for a story you had yet to write. A place that spoke to you in not only a visceral, emotional way, but also in an … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, blogging, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged Choosing a story setting for your writing, Maid of the Mist, Niagara Falls, short story, story setting, story setting influencing a character, The American Falls, The Canadian Falls, The Horseshoe Falls, writing the short story
9 Comments
A Writers’ Critique Group at Last
I pulled into the parking lot of the local library a little before 10 a.m., feeling a bit excited. After many years, a writers’ critique group was forming in my locale under the auspices of the Palm Springs Writers Guild … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Inspiration, memoir, novel, personal essay, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged Being in a writers' group, Developing Writing Craft, La Quinta Library, novel, Palm Springs Writers Guild, personal essay, Purpose of a critique group, short story, Writers and a Critique Group, Writers' Camaraderie, Writing Critique Group
4 Comments
Writing, a Party, GE, and Samsung
Writer’s block is something that’s been ascribed to by writers for years. You know the definition. The ideas aren’t there, the well has gone dry, the muse has left the building, the empty page holds you in a mind-altering stare. … Continue reading
The Next Writing Project
I’m anxious to start on my next writing project. The book of original poetry and art called All Ways A Woman, done in collaboration with artist Lynn Centeno, is launched and we are well into marketing it at various venues. Our … Continue reading
Fiction Writing – Like Your Own Political Convention?
Fiction writing is like your own political convention. Pardon me? Really? Okay, hang with me on this. First, let’s look at what happens when you’re writing a short story. I attempted to analyze this conundrum with a story I just … Continue reading
Posted in fiction writing, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged analogy, antagonist, fiction writing, pantser, planner, protagonist, reading, setting, short story, steps in writing the short story, writing, writing process
6 Comments
A Public Reading of Another’s Work
Doing a public reading of another author’s work is an honor and a responsibility, and definitely feels different from doing a reading of your own stuff. With your own, you’re protective and vulnerable. Nervous. (See my post from 10/15/15 called “What … Continue reading
Pictures and Words
It’s always interesting to see your work in a magazine or journal in its final published form – the layout of the piece on the page, the general tone and feel of the publication, the use of pictures, if any. … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, memoir, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged being published, curiosity, feelings, mood, personal essay, short story, Six Hens Literary Journal, the Grand Canyon, tone, writing
4 Comments
Stepping in Potholes
I have some writing projects I want to work on, but I keep falling into life’s potholes. Like what you may ask? Ah, let me count the ways. Pothole number one: the microwave. The thing sounded like an airplane when … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, poetry, short story, Writing
Tagged chapbook, peaceful moments, personal essay, poetry, Poets and Writers Magazine, quiet time, short story, titles, writing retreat, writing time
6 Comments
Written Beneath the Palms 
Thoughts while reading a rejection …
Acceptance and rejection letters come to writers in all forms. Of course, the acceptances are the most fun. You savor them, place them in a special file, even frame them. The rejections are often form notes, maybe with a small … Continue reading →