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Carol S. Mann
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Bits and Pieces
“He knew everyone had flaws. People fell from grace all the time. But some people fell further than others.” From “Ferrelli’s Fall” (Creek Songs).
Tag Archives: short story
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
Finding the Angle
You sit at your desk or take a walk and, as you do, you scratch at your brain’s stored content and loose ends. You want to find an angle for your story and a world backdrop against which your protagonist … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Inspiration, novel, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged All Our Names by Dinaw Mengestu, books, creativity, fiction, ideas, imagination, In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides, inspiration, literature, nonfiction, Passion and Principle by Sally Denton, Rancho Mirage Writers Festival, reading, Redeployment by Phil Klay, short story, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson, When Book Went to War by Molly Giptill Manning, writing
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My novel’s like a tree?
How do you go about writing a novel? Good question. I’ve been reading, studying, and analyzing different approaches by authors and writing coaches. Why? Because I have a novel basking in various stages of undress in both a computer file … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, Books, fiction writing, novel, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged Christmas tree, Eduardo Santiago, first draft, holiday tree, Janet Fitch, Larry Brooks, novel, ornaments, short story, Storyfix.com, White Oleander, writing a novel
6 Comments
Have you figured out your writing process?
Out of curiosity, I’ve been trying to understand my writing process, particularly for the short story. I seem to do one of two things. Either I jot down a brief outline or list and start writing or I just start … Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged creativity, editing, ideas - the creative process, inspiration, Joe Bunting, logline, outline, proof reading, rough draft, short story, Thomas E. Kennedy, writing, writing process
6 Comments
A Positive Rejection? Say What?
After submitting several pieces of work to publications, I sometimes don’t know how to open my email. I mean, should I open it with a high sense of expectation or take my time – as in who jumps in line … Continue reading
Written Beneath the Palms 