Tag: fiction

Character Prompts

Character Prompts

I've been struggling a bit with my new novel.  I've gotten to know my main character quite well and I adore her, with all her foibles and faults.  But, amazingly enough, she is not the only character in the novel.  I know, shocking, but there it is.  Other characters are giving themselves up to me […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Critiques

Friday Mini-Critique: J.D. Frost

For our second critique volunteer, today we have J.D. Frost, who bravely submitted to my eagle eye, even after reading the first Friday Mini-Critique.   J.D. is a loyal and long-time blog reader–thanks, J.D.!  He's also a mystery author, in case you hadn't guessed from the following excerpts.  Visit his website here. Excerpt #1 Opening:     […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Coaching Writing

Make Work

"Make work" is my all-purpose notation to myself that I use for both notes and on manuscripts.   It is shorthand for "Make it work," and a very handy two words. If I'm writing notes, and they are a bit sketchy, I add, "make work," because I know in my brain what I mean, I just […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Uncategorized

A Successful Writing Life

Last week at the Fall Writer's Loft orientation, we held a panel on The Writing Life.  I moderated, and mentors Bill Brown, David Pierce, and Linda Busby Parker participated.  It was a freewheeling and wide-ranging discussion, as I'd hoped.  Since I was moderating, I scribbled notes, just in case the conversation lagged and I needed […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Books Creativity Writing Writing Exercises

Creating Characters: Mai, Oui, Marcel Proust, I Could Use Some Help

Having some difficulty creating full, true-to-life fictional characters?  Why not let Marcel help you? Yes, that Marcel, the most famous one of all–Marcel Proust, author of Remembrance of Things Past, the only part of which I remember is when he waxed poetic about Madeleines, the shell-shaped, mini-cakes that melt in your mouth. Thanks to the […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Writing

Twitter: The Art of Writing Tweets

Twitter is, of course, the social networking rage.  Seems like everyone from corporations to small businesses to solopreneurs to politicians are tweeting.  And with good reason, I some people find it addictive. There are posts galore on how to best use Twitter to promote yourself or your business, how to not waste time on Twitter, […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
Writing

Lessons From The Snow

Its been snowing in Portland since Saturday and now we have about a foot on the ground.  I know that most of you consider Oregon a northern state and you thus assume that we always get a lot of snow, but such is not the case.  Its been five years since we've gotten an appreciable […]

Charlotte Rains Dixon 
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