Part of my writing struggles comes from my writing education. I was taught free writing. Look at a blank page and start writing on anything at all. Then, follow your thoughts however long it takes to write a certain length of time or page.
Category Archives: Writing Tools
When You Don’t Have Time
A fellow Lutheran blogger has graciously offered us a guest post on learning to write when you don’t have time, or at least not much! Thank you, Anna Mussmann, and you are welcome to write here any time!
Filed under Writer's Life, Writing Tips, Writing Tools
Deep-Seeded
The human drive to express is a deep-seeded one. Or should I say, “deep-seated?” The truth of the matter is that that human drive of ours is often in a hurry, thinks for a second, and misspeaks, mistypes, and misses . . . in this case the deep! Although deep-seeded could make sense, the phrase with historical connotations is deep-seated.
Filed under Books to Purchase, Writing Tips, Writing Tools
Rhymes Old-School and New
I started to write when I was young. I’d write poetry when I should have been listening to math lessons or I’d scribble away in the last few minutes of class.
When I got a little older, I’d write the alphabet vertically down the far right side of my wide-lined paper and I would inwardly curse because I’d skip the first few lines at the top for some random aesthetic appeal and I’d have to write XYZ on the same line. Every time. Because: teenager.
But I liked the pattern of starting to write. Centering the page, writing the alphabet, and starting from a place of confidence: “I know my letters. I know my words. Let’s put something together!” Continue reading
Filed under Hymns, Poetry, Wordplay, Writing Tools
Dropbox
I’m in no way affiliated with Dropbox, but it’s such a great idea and tool for writers!
Basically, you join Dropbox, which becomes something of a location on your computer, save files to it (including files for collaboration or files too large to easily email), and then access them anywhere over the Internet. You literally follow the same saving procedure as usual, but indicate Dropbox as a starting point rather than Desktop, Downloads, etc. To access your files from your regular computer, you simply click the Dropbox icon, which–surprise, surprise–is an open box.
An important writer’s rule for me is to have a single working manuscript. Continue reading
Filed under Writing Tips, Writing Tools