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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
Dec 3, 20191 min read
The best gift you can give this Christmas
As wonderful as this time of year can be, it can be challenging for some. There are folks who are hurting from past injustices, unkind...
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Megan DiMaria
Nov 26, 20191 min read
Happy Thanksgiving!
I've already begun my Thanksgiving preparations, and I want to let you know you're in my thoughts. I hope you have a wonderful,...
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Megan DiMaria
Nov 19, 20192 min read
Two simple strategies to sail through the holidays, stress-free.
Yes, believe it or not, the holidays are coming. It's still November, but Christmas ads are floating around in my social media feed, and...
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Megan DiMaria
Nov 12, 20192 min read
A Veterans Day tribute to my Dad, an unsung hero
(In honor of Veterans Day, I’m running this encore post.) My father was the kindest, most gentle man I've ever known. He was also the...
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Megan DiMaria
Nov 5, 20193 min read
Tactics to overcome frustration while working toward your goals
Have you ever been frustrated while on your journey toward your goal? Sometimes (most of the time) journeys are not a straight shot. You...
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Megan DiMaria
Oct 29, 20193 min read
Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 4
Three weeks ago, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Two weeks ago, we talked about...
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Megan DiMaria
Oct 22, 20192 min read
Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 3
Two weeks ago, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Last week, we talked about using...
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Megan DiMaria
Oct 15, 20193 min read
Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 2
In last week's post, we discussed dialogue in context, with internal thoughts, and with visceral reactions. Today we'll talk about using...
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Megan DiMaria
Oct 8, 20193 min read
Keys to writing effective dialogue, part 1
Writing effective dialogue is essential to the success of your work whether you write fiction or nonfiction. Dialogue will either draw...
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Megan DiMaria
Oct 1, 20192 min read
Rest, don't quit
If you get tired of trying, don't quit. REST. We all have that passion or that responsibility that propels us to keep on trying. Or...
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Megan DiMaria
Sep 24, 20194 min read
Writing tips from USA Today Best-Selling Author Jen Turano
I'm pleased to host my friend, Jen Turano. Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen is a USA Today...
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Megan DiMaria
Sep 17, 20192 min read
Writers, deal with rejection the way a Downton Abbey star dealt with hers.
Strategies to keep yourself in the game AND to get to the next level. Getting a publishing contract isn't an easy thing. I'm sure I'm not...
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Megan DiMaria
Sep 10, 20191 min read
Gaining perspective: editing and rewriting
It's a part of every book's journey: editing and rewriting. It would be wonderful if you could dash the words onto the page with ease and...
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Megan DiMaria
Sep 3, 20193 min read
Hiraeth, a longing that drives your thoughts and stirs your heart
Hello, friends. I can hardly believe summer is behind us. I've not spent nearly enough time whiling away hours my backyard hammock. I...
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Megan DiMaria
Aug 27, 20193 min read
What to do when you need to redeem the day (or situation)
Have you ever had one of those days? A few years ago, I rose before the sun to get an early flight so I could travel to a conference. I...
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Megan DiMaria
Aug 20, 20192 min read
Be the grateful one
I learned a painful lesson many years ago. It’s this: no one has to be nice to you. No one. Many people don't understand this. Not...
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Megan DiMaria
Aug 13, 20192 min read
Twenty simple tips for stronger writing
Sometimes, I go through my old files from past writing seminars and conferences to brush up on what I've learned. Today, I compiled a...
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Megan DiMaria
Aug 6, 20192 min read
Tips on how perspective colors your character's world
There's truth and then there's a character's perspective. Both can be honest, even if the reality is experienced in different ways. I...
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Megan DiMaria
Jul 30, 20192 min read
The essential needs of your novel’s protagonist
Your protagonist—the main character of your novel—has some specific needs that must be addressed up front that will compel the reader to...
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Megan DiMaria
Jul 23, 20192 min read
The challenges and joys of being creative
Writers and artists, what does it mean to you to be a creative? I've been thinking about the challenges and joys of being creative. Being...
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