What are Rhetorical Devices? We all know the literary devices of metaphor and simile. Rhetorical devices are a little different. Instead of comparisons, rhetorical devices are used to add emphasis to one’s words. Most often used in oral speeches, some … Continue reading Spice It Up with Rhetorical Devices
When I started writing fiction, I decided to do so under a pen name. At the time it made sense. I was teaching, and my first novels were sexy hot. This is one of the most common reasons authors choose … Continue reading Pen Names: The Good and the Bad
Do you listen to music when you are writing? If not, maybe you should. Music has some amazing benefits for a writer. It can… How Writing to Music Works Listening to music increases blood flow to the brain. In particular, … Continue reading Writing to Music
One of the main things slowing down our writing speed while drafting is the infernal, internal editor. Here are three ways to override the need to write everything correctly the first time. Continue reading Why Writing Fast & Author Voice Go Together
If you are a writer, you love words. I know that I do. Word Storms are a writer’s way to play. They stir up creativity. They help you work through problems. They help you write your story. Continue reading Using Word Storms to Plan Your Novel
Inspiration for a story can come from the luck of the draw. Get a free set of Brainstorming Cards and learn how to use them. Continue reading Brainstorm Your Novel Using Brainstorming Cards
All the motivation and energy in the world will not produce a finished novel. We first need ideas. Focused brainstorming is one way to inspire them. Continue reading How to Brainstorm Your Novel into Existence
Writing is an adventure with a destination. To write freely and creatively a writer needs to have a clear mind, inner joy, and a path to travel. Here are some steps to take on your trip.
Do you have trouble maintaining your focus while writing? Are you easily distracted by things around you? Try the habit-changing Magic Jar. Continue reading Improve Your Focus: Try the Writer’s Magic Bowl
~ Do you write? Are you a reader? ~ You have to read widely, constantly refining (and redefining) your own work as you do so. It’s hard for me to believe that people who read very little (or not at … Continue reading Why, How, and What Writers Should Read
~Renew Yourself~ Are you stuck in a rut? Do you sit down to write and do the same things every time? Turn on the computer? Open your draft? Stare at the page? Then pray the words come? I do. For … Continue reading 3 Steps to Renew Your Writing Life
~ Books and Change ~ The ability to change is essential for survival. Those who refuse to change become dull, boring, and left behind. One force for change is literature. Ever since people learned to write and read, books have … Continue reading Books That Change the World
~ Make it Beautiful ! Organizing is something you do before you do something, so when you do it, it is not all mixed up. ~ A.A. Milne Last month, while pondering my Big Word FOCUS, I learned that maintaining one’s … Continue reading Organize and De-Clutter Your Writing Zone
~ Becoming a Focused Writer ~ Being able to focus is always an issue for a creative writer. No one is telling you what story world to invent nor how to get yourself in the seat, start writing, and then … Continue reading How I Learned to Focus
~A Dozen Hopes for 2019 ~ Time to make those 2019 New Year Resolutions. I have a long tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions. I bet many of you do too. After all, we only get a chance to revisit our … Continue reading My 2019 New Year Resolutions
~ What I am Thankful For ~ On this Thanksgiving Day, I thought I would make a list of all the things I am thankful for as a writer. Most of the things are simple. It doesn’t take much to … Continue reading 12 things I am Thankful for: A Writer’s List of Thankfuls
~ Book Awards ~ This week my romantic suspense Close to the Skin is in a competition to win a Rone Award from InD’Tale Magazine– a beautiful and well-known e-magazine dedicated to romance writing. This award is one in which readers vote for their favorite … Continue reading Are you more likely to read a book that has won an award?
~ Life in Fifteen Minutes ~ Do you know how much time you spend on daily activities like reading e-mail and perusing Facebook? Do you struggle to reach your daily word count? I know that I do. A while back, … Continue reading Fifteen Minutes Writing – The Book Factory Method
~ Why I Start with Visionary Goals ~ In my last post, I talked about how I set up my writing journal. In this post I will explain how I set my visionary goals. Designing Visionary Goals When designing goals, … Continue reading Writing Visionary Goals
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to review what one has accomplished and to look forward to what might be one’s goals for the new year. A journal is a great place to start. Continue reading My Writing Journal – Tips and Tricks
ZARA WEST'S JOURNAL 