The greatest thing by far is to have a command of metaphor. This alone cannot be imparted by another; it is the mark of genius, for to make good metaphors implies an eye for resemblances.
Aristotle (via writingquotes)
I had a high school teacher tell me this once too—that the most difficult thing to do in writing is to come up with good metaphors, and if you can, you’re a genius. I believe it.
By the way, we have a neat article called 5 Tips for Becoming A Genius Creating Great Metaphors & Similes. Check it.
Photos of J.K. Rowling’s notes in rare ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ book released
The Guardian has published photos of three pages containing a sketch and handwritten notes by J.K. Rowling from a first edition… READ MORE
(via kissingonconey)
Trac Changes: On Coverflipping, Misogyny, and, Oh Yeah—How You and I Are Part of the Problem
However, I felt that the vast majority of the coverflips I saw didn’t capture the intricacies of the issue, but rather reinforced exactly what I see as the problem: binary thinking and stereotyped assumptions about what is masculine and what is feminine.
This is an awesome article by Rachel Stark on the Maureen Johnson #coverflip project and how it sort of misses the point.
(As the author states, this isn’t a rant again MJ or the #coverflip project by any means, just an interesting opinion piece on the project’s cultural context.)
Thanks to my buds at Publishing Trendsetter for pointing me to it.
We rely upon the poets, the philosophers, and the playwrights to articulate what most of us can only feel, in joy or sorrow. They illuminate the thoughts for which we only grope; they give us the strength and balm we cannot find in ourselves. Whenever I feel my courage wavering, I rush to them. They give me the wisdom of acceptance, the will and resilience to push on.
(via kissingonconey)
Oh yes, let’s just sneeeak this little detail in to the end of the third-to-last paragraph.
From Marissa Mayer: Here’s Why I Just Bought Tumblr for $1.1 Billion | Business Insider
I’m wayyy behind on asks but I promise I’ll get to them!
I don’t know what’s up but we’ve had this deluge of great writing questions lately. I always try to answer very thoroughly—writing the answers are like writing a mini essay for me—so it takes a while. (I’m also stiiiiill working on Issue 03, stiiiiill unpacking from my move, and don’t have as much free time at work to be on Tumblr as I used to!) But I answer every single message YW gets (albeit often privately) so just be patient :)
Arcanewriter
Arcanewriter is a new blog designed to motivate inexperienced writers to do what they love most: write! This blog was created to give advice to those who struggle with writing and at the same time help improve their writing skills. Once we get more followers, arcanewriter will begin to hold contests where people submit their work and the winner will get their work published on our blog. The winner will also get a spot on our winner’s page where their blog will be promoted for as long as they like. To keep the contest fair and more interesting, the contestants may only write about a subject we give them for a short period of time. But, to keep it fun, we’ll allow the writer to twist the subject any way they like. For
example, if the subject is pets, we’ll happily allow the pet to be a dragon or a rock (if done right). This is a great opportunity to get your work recognized and get praised for all the hard work that comes from writing. Don’t miss out, you never know who might end up reading your stories!
Not Iambic….Do Not Accept…
These tags I’ll pop, and boast in rhyming verse
that what I wear puts swagger in my gait;
though twenty shillings have I in my purse,
my self-esteem and manhood both inflate
when lofty furs I purchase for a cent.
Thy grandpa’s clothes are worthy salvage, though
they smell a trifle musty. Still, I spent
much less to dress myself from head to toe.To save or not to save? The question’s moot.
I’ll never give my coin to high-street crooks.
These dusty shelves will yield their hidden loot
to those, like me, more frugal in their looks.
Like ancient coins washed up on distant shores,
I’ll find my treasures in these thrifty stores.
- Macklemore, “Thrift Shoppe”*Crying with laughter*
ITS IN IAMBIC PENTAMETER. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE THING.
Too fantastic not to reblog. Especially if you love Shakespeare. -H
Omggggg!
Things A Scene Needs
Each character in a scene needs a goal. Obviously the main character’s goal is the most important, but every character should be aiming for something, and those goals should be acted on and in doing so affect one another.
This doesn’t just refer to the protagonist/antagonist relationship, it should be true of all characters in a scene.
QUERY CONTEST—One Sentence Pitch Letter
Attention writers! If you have a manuscript you’d like us to read please send us a one sentence pitch of your novel. Include the genre as well as the age group it is written for (YA, Adult, Middle Grade, etc.) Make it tantalizing, exciting, representative of your work as a whole. Make us want to read your manuscript. Ends Friday May 24 at 5pm
Like, reblog, follow—get the word out!
Sounds like a good opportunity, yeah writers!
I’m having one of those days where it’s difficult to even put one sentence together. Like even just writing an email is hard.
Isn’t it funny how that happens sometimes?
Being a good writer is 3% talent and 97% not being distracted by the internet.
(via worldinink)
— the writer reblogs, being distracted by the internet
(via cameralinz)
(via thewritershelpers)
WriteWorld: Where Your Ideas Come From
One of the most frequent questions I get as a writer is “where do you get your ideas from?” I’m always a bit baffled at first because sometimes I’m not really sure. It’s a difficult question to answer and I don’t think you can be a writer unless you have the ability to see…
This is fantastic advice! I’m an extrovert, but I always come up with my story ideas when I’m by myself for long stretches of time—driving, walking to the subway, while shopping, etc.
