Write Better Now
A prompt, some links, and other awesomeness
Every Monday, we’re sending out a quick round-up of what we talked about and some cool links to check out to help all of us become better writers.
As a reminder, on Wednesdays the WRITE BETTER NOW podcast comes out here (and everywhere).
Later in the week there is a bonus post for paid subscribers because, honestly, it’s super kind of you to support me that way, and I want to make sure to make it’s worth your while. Thank you for being here.
Here we go!
On the podcast, we talked about Dwight Swain’s belief that your story is about desire and danger.
And I talked about writing with a broken brain.
Writing Exercise of Awesome
Here are two from the site, theselfpublishingschool.com and they are cut directly from there. All amazingness you take from the exercise? The credit goes to the writers/bloggers there!
Cool Links By Other People and a Place to Submit!
Jagged Winter Trail Designs, a poem by Sy Hoahwah
Horrifying news about the state-sponsored purging of books in schools and censorship in the Washington Post.
Here’s an excerpt from the article, which was written by Hannah Natanson and Lori Rozsa:
“Mounting book challenges, bans and clandestine removals, all of which reached historic highs during the past school year, are also eroding students’ freedom to read. Simultaneously, Republican legislators in at least nine states are pushing laws that force school library databases to block certain content. Everywhere, the books targeted are mostly written by and about people of color and LGBTQ individuals, according to analyses conducted by the American Library Association and PEN America.
“Parents and students are stepping into the fray. Some are fighting to increase schoolchildren’s access to literature with book clubs and giveaways, while others are spreading awareness of texts they believe are inappropriate. Emily Maikisch, a mother in Florida, this year launched a book reviewing website, BookLooks.org, aimed at “parents who want to make ... content-based decisions for their child,” she said.”
Dwight Swain has a book, The Techniques of a Selling Writer and it is helpful.
The Giancarlo DiTrapano Foundation for Literature and the Arts
Deadline: September 1, 2022 Reading Fee: $17
Submit your best unpublished fiction for a chance to be awarded free tuition, accommodations, and an airfare stipend to attend ILS 2022 in Kenya (Dec 6 - 20), along with publication in the renowned Fence magazine. All contestants will also be considered for a two-week writing residency from the Giancarlo DiTrapano Foundation for Literature and the Arts in Southern Italy.
The 2022 ILS Fiction Contest is open to all writers anywhere in the world over 18 years old. If you are from East Africa and would like to apply for one of our fellowships and enter our 2022 ILS Fiction Contest for free, read more about our East African fellowships here.
SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION MOMENT
So, I’m teaching another cool six-month class at the Writing Barn in Austin. It’s a pretty fantastic place. And the class is super fun. I’ve had a ton of students get unblocked and get published. You should check it out or just come hang out with me as your writing coach. I offer a ton of different options.
Here’s a thing about a night (free obviously) where you can learn more about it.
And as always, I’m editing on Reedsy, and editing and coaching through my website (or contact me here).