Megan DiMaria
Methods for writers to get to know their characters
Writers, how do you get to know your characters? Readers can tell how well an author knows their characters, so you better polish your...
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A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
I post the first and third Tuesday of the month.
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Megan DiMaria
Jul 16, 20191 min read
Five necessary components to a novel
Sometimes it good to remember stuff we've already been taught. Elementary, yes—but it's good to ponder the basics of novel writing. One:...
Megan DiMaria
May 28, 20192 min read
Writers: Six tips to refresh your creativity
Writers can get overwhelmed trying to find a new way to communicate the ordinary and everyday moments that make up life. Writers can get...
Megan DiMaria
Jan 8, 20192 min read
Methods for writers to get to know their characters
Writers, how do you get to know your characters? Readers can tell how well an author knows their characters, so you better polish your...
Megan DiMaria
Oct 30, 20181 min read
Strategies to overcome writer's burnout, part 1
Dear writer, are you feeling burned out? Is your word count and productivity down? Do you want to beat your head against a wall to battle...
Megan DiMaria
Oct 16, 20182 min read
13 Pieces of Advice from Famous Authors
Are you a weary writer in need of some advice? Writers and would-be writers are always looking for wisdom from those who’ve gone before...
Megan DiMaria
Jul 3, 20182 min read
Guideposts for a writer's journey, part 2
Last week we started discussing the writer's journey. I likened it to climbing up the side of a Colorado mountain. In my case, I had...
Megan DiMaria
Feb 20, 20182 min read
What does sun-dried hair have to do with writing novels?
We enjoyed a warm winter day yesterday (65 degrees in beautiful Colorado!), and I dried my hair in the sun. Not exactly front-page news,...
Megan DiMaria
Jan 30, 20182 min read
What do readers to hear while they're reading?
I know of authors who listen to certain soundtracks while they're writing to inspire them to write with emotion or to add authenticity to...
Megan DiMaria
Oct 10, 20172 min read
Don't waste pretty words. File them away!
Writers, do you keep a pretty-word file? Sometimes a description hits the spot exactly. When that happens in a novel I’m reading, I often...
Megan DiMaria
Jun 6, 20172 min read
Author Voice, part four
*This is part four in a series. View parts one, two, and three. If you've been following this series, are you understanding author voice...
Megan DiMaria
May 30, 20172 min read
Understanding Author Voice, part three
*This is part three in a series. View parts one and two. I hope you’re enjoying the different samples of author voice we're including...
Megan DiMaria
May 23, 20173 min read
Understanding Author Voice, part two
*This is part two in a series. View part one. Last week we started discussing author voice, which is the way in which an author tells a...
Megan DiMaria
May 16, 20173 min read
What is Author Voice?
A lot of time is spent in writing circles discussing author voice. What is it? How do you perfect it? Author voice is the way in which an...
Megan DiMaria
Apr 25, 20172 min read
How does a writer decide on an idea? Part Two
This is the second of a two-part topic. See part one here. If you ask a seasoned writer, they’ll tell you that ideas are in the air....
Megan DiMaria
Apr 18, 20172 min read
How does a writer decide on an idea? Part One
How does a writer decide on an idea? I believe writers are peculiar people. We tuck bits of memories in our brains and hearts only to...
Megan DiMaria
Apr 4, 20172 min read
Writers, learn to put rejection in perspective
Rejection is an ugly word, especially to a writer. But we need to keep it in perspective. To help you put rejection into perspective, I’d...
Megan DiMaria
Mar 28, 20172 min read
Why readers need to experience the novel (see it, smell it, feel it, taste it, hear it . . .)
I recently read a story that left me wholly unsatisfied. The author skimped on writing in the sensory details. I felt disoriented while...
Megan DiMaria
Feb 14, 20171 min read
Writers: give yourself the gift of perspective
Happy is the person who dreams dreams and is willing to take the steps to make them come true. Don't be afraid to start climbing, and...
Megan DiMaria
Feb 7, 20171 min read
Great Writing Websites to Check Out
If you're a writer, do you spend time reading tips from pros and other writers in the trenches? You should. I have a few favorite writing...
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