According to this Market Watch article, Atria Books has released its first smart book, which includes a special chip that makes it possible for anyone with a Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled phone to access the book’s content. I don’t quite understand how it all works, but it sounds interesting. What do you think? Would you read a book on your phone?
Category: Writer’s Resources
Help on writing and the writing life. Grammar, Inspiration, Marketing & Publishing, Prompts, Writing Tips
Writing prompt: Crying baby
The Oregonian recently published an article about a Tri-Met bus driver who told a mother with a young child to get off the bus because the child was crying. Write a serious fictional scene based on that information. Then write a funny fictional scene based on that information.
What I’m reading: The Financial Lives of the Poets
I just finished reading Jess Walter’s The Financial Lives of the Poets, a funny novel about a father who gets himself into trouble trying to support his family during a tough economic time. Much of the humor comes from the author’s comments on the sorry state of the United States.
Walters also wrote The Zero (a finalist for the National Book Award), Citizen Vince, Land of the Blind, Over Tumbled Graves and Ruby Ridge. He lives in Spokane, Washington. For more information: www.jesswalter.com
Writing prompt: Get political
To find ideas for stories, you don’t have to go any further than your local newspaper. Pick up a copy or read it online and create a character based on someone who’s running for political office. Show him or her at a rally, expressing strong views.
Writing prompt: High fallutin’ language
Last night I was watching a movie in which one of the characters (to show how smart he was) used the word “casuistry,” which means the use of clever but unsound reasoning.
Writing prompt: Write a passage of dialogue in which one of the characters uses high fallutin’ language to impress others.
Writing prompt: Slow motion camera
In order to write effective descriptions of places, it helps to slow down so you can see the details. Pretend you’re holding a movie camera that is set on slow motion. Slowly scan the camera around your living room. Describe what you see.
Inspiration: Prioritize
In the August 21, 2011 issue of the Oregonian, singer Wynonna Judd is quoted as saying “…pick two or three things per day that are a priority. You don’t prioritize your schedule; you schedule your priorities — and whatever those are, you make those happen.”
When it comes to your writing, what are your priorities?
How to write faster
In this blog, Ali Luke lists seven steps to faster writing. I’ve listed the seven steps below. To find out why Luke thinks they’re important, read her blog.
1. Find Your Best Writing Time
2. Minimize Interruptions
3. Cut Out Distractions
4. Write an Outline
5. Set a Timer
6. Start Wherever You Want
7. Don’t Edit While You Write
Writing prompt: Description
Describe your bedroom. Describe everything in it — the furnishings, walls and windows, etc. Convey the overlook appearance of the room. Is it messy or neat? Sterile, erotic or romantic? Imagine someone walking into the room for the first time. Use that person’s point of view to describe the room.
Writing prompt: Hobbies
1. Make a list of your hobbies. Some possibilities: gardening, hiking, collecting sports memorabilia, photography, dancing.
2. Now write a scene in which a fictional character is taking part in one of those hobbies. Use lots of detail. Make use of your expertise about the subject.
Nancy Woods 