Category Archives: Writing Tips
The Stalled Story, by Eva Polites
Writer’s block. Dreaded words for a dreadful condition. Thankfully, there are blog posts, articles, and books devoted to this ailment. The afflicted writer can easily find tips and remedies to deal with this condition and start writing again. For me … Continue reading
Fermentation Time, by Anthony D. Fredericks
Navigating Nonfiction A monthly column by Anthony D. Fredericks Let’s assume you’re making preparations for a weekend party. Lots of your friends are coming over and you want to be sure you have some great food and their favorite beverages. So, you drive … Continue reading
The Right Verb, by Anthony D. Fredericks
Navigating Nonfiction A monthly column by Anthony D. Fredericks Question: What does a thesaurus eat for breakfast? Answer: A synonym roll. Let’s take a look at the following passage: Cheetahs can run very fast. They can run much faster than … Continue reading
The Lasagna Writer’s Journey, by Kristen C. Strocchia
Ever made a lasagna? Satisfyingly warm layers of noodles, sauce and assorted cheeses. But no matter how deep the dish, every layer is the same as the one before. As I’ve reflected on my writing journey … Continue reading
How I Found the Courage to Write a Novel (And It Does Take Courage!), by Janet McLaughlin
Today, we’re so happy to host author Janet McLaughlin! Janet is the author of the Soul Sight Mysteries series, including Haunted Echo and Fireworks, and a longtime SCBWI member. She’s here today to lend you some inspiration and courage as … Continue reading
Avoiding Cliché Characters In YA Fiction, by Lori Ann Palma
When writers develop characters, we most often begin with an idea—a sort of shapeless blob that becomes more distinct as we write a first draft or do a pre-writing character study. Over time, they grow physical characteristics and a personality, … Continue reading
Confessions of a Pantser Turned Plantser: Nothing is Wasted, by Lindsay Bandy
This post by Lindsay originally appeared on the blog in September 2015. Sitting in my college creative writing class, I absorbed the words of my pony-tailed professor: “Nobody knows exactly where they’re going when they sit down to write a … Continue reading
Five Tips for Writing Realistic Dialogue in Young Adult Fiction, by Lori Ann Palma
In the coming weeks, Lindsay and Lori Ann will be sharing their favorite posts from the past. This post originally appeared in March 2015. Most writers will tell you that good fiction is all about the show, not about the … Continue reading
Last Writer Standing, by Lindsay Bandy
In the coming weeks, Lindsay and Lori Ann will be sharing some of their favorite past blog posts. This post by Lindsay originally appeared on the blog in August 2015. What does late-night comedy writing have in common with writing for kids … Continue reading
Practical Advice: Getting Beyond the Middle of a Draft, by Lori Ann Palma
In my past blog posts for Eastern Penn Points, I’ve talked about fear as an obstacle to writing, and while this struggle is still high on the list of creative troubles, it isn’t the only concern. After attending the recent … Continue reading