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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Page 39

Writing Craft

Go Ahead: Take an Online Break

By Karen Ballon March 1, 2017
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Wow, what great sites you all shared. Thanks so much for letting us in on your online breaks. So here are the places I like to go when I need a break. Some are great for just a few minutes, some give a nice long break. But they’re all great fun! (click the headlines below)

History in the Headlines: Writers

This is the History Channel’s collection of fascinating stories about writers throughout history. I’ve learned all kinds of fun facts here.

Grammar Gorilla

Hey, it’s grammar, and it’s gorillas. Who could ask for anything more? Test yoru grammar skills and earn bananas.

Snoopy the Author cartoons

A delightful collection on Pinterest of Snoopy the Author cartoons. I love these things!

Language is a Virus

This is one of my all-time favorite online break sites, primarily because it has so many fun things you can do. For example:

*Electronic Poetry Kit

You may have the magnetic version of this. I do. In fact, I have several versions of magnetic poetry on my fridge. It’s great fun. Well, now you don’t have to go to your fridge to play with it. You can hop on over to this site and make poetry with a variety of kits, from the Stephen King kit to the Oscar Wilde kit to the Sylvia Plath kit. Enjoy!

*Writing Prompts

Sometimes all you need is one idea to get you going. Well, here’s the place to get it.

*Writing Exercises

More than you can get through in a whole lot of breaks.

I Write Like

Ever wondered what famous author you write like? Well, hop on over to this site, write a little bit, and it will tell you. I love writing in different ways and voices, to see how many different authors I am. <grin>

Shopping!

And, of course, there’s always a shopping break. Here are the sites I enjoy when I want to find a fun writing-focused tool or gift to reward myself with after meeting a goal:

Etsy: Gifts for Writers

Levenger

Writers Store

The Literary Gift Company

Enjoy!

 

 

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Category: Creativity, The Writing LifeTag: Creativity, The Writing Life

Easily Entertained

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 16, 2017
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Recently my husband, daughter, and I had dinner with my parents at King’s Barbeque in Petersburg, Virginia. My paternal grandfather discovered this restaurant in the 1950s and it is still one of our family’s favorite places. Since it was near Christmas, they displayed a unique decoration – a pig wearing a Santa hat. Amused, I took pictures with my cell phone. I heard voices. “That’s a first!” I …

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Category: Creativity, Humor, PersonalTag: Characters, Creativity

Remove the Barriers in Fiction

By Karen Ballon February 15, 2017
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Few things empower fiction better than well developed characters. Which is why you don’t want to create unintentional barriers between your characters and your readers. What barriers, you ask? Well, here’s one that affects POV characters: John knew he was about to learn something important. Do you see it? The barrier? No? How about here… Sally realized she wasn’t getting it at all. This barrier is …

Read moreRemove the Barriers in Fiction
Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: fiction, Writing Craft

What is Your Attention Span?

By Steve Laubeon February 13, 2017
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I came across the study that claims the average person now has a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish. Eight seconds. This means most people tend to lose concentration in less than ten seconds. As an experiment, I read the above paragraph out loud. It took about 10 seconds to complete. That means I just lost you. At least the goldfish will swim around its bowl and come back to the same …

Read moreWhat is Your Attention Span?
Category: Communication, Craft, Inspiration, Reading, The Writing LifeTag: book proposals, Creativity, Writing Craft

Should I Join a Professional Organization?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 9, 2017
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Thinking about joining a professional organization? This post is geared to the writer who has decided what type of books to write and wonders if memberships would enhance the proposal. Those who are undecided would be better served by attending a few conferences as a nonmember to discern career direction. When investigating professional organizations, I recommend asking yourself questions: Can I …

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Category: Career, Conferences, The Writing LifeTag: Career, The Writing Life

Contrived is a Four-Letter Word

By Karen Ballon February 8, 2017
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Few things irritate fiction readers more than a story peopled by characters who act and react without any apparent reason for what they’re doing and saying. No reason, that is, except to illustrate the author’s message. Or prove the author’s point. Well, you say, don’t we all have a message or point in what we write? Isn’t fiction about letting our characters take the readers on a journey of …

Read moreContrived is a Four-Letter Word
Category: CraftTag: Craft, fiction, Writing Craft

New Year, New First Lines!

By Karen Ballon January 25, 2017
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Are you as stunned as I am that we’re already weeks into 2017? I figure the beginning of an all-new year is a great time to share our all-new first lines! I love seeing what you all are working on, so jump in and share the first line—and ONLY the first line—of your current work in progress. Fiction, nonfiction, children’s book, whatever. Let the sharing begin! Here’s mine: His first breath …

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Category: CreativityTag: Creativity

The Seeds of Great Ideas

By Karen Ballon January 18, 2017
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Thanks so much for sharing your tips and sources for ideas last week. What fun to read your thoughts and insights. I’d invite you all to review those comments from time to time, considering if one or more of them might not help you expand the ways you develop ideas. For today, though, I want to encourage you to give something a try, and that’s an Idea Journal. This isn’t a regular journal. It’s …

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Category: CreativityTag: Creativity

Finding Great Book Ideas

By Karen Ballon January 11, 2017
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The beginning of a whole new year seems like a good time to think about new ideas. Specifically, new ideas for stories to write. We all have our favorite sources for new ideas. Some pull story ideas from breaking news stories, some from their own personal experiences or struggles, some from the lives of those they know, some from all of the above and more. Next week I’ll share some ways to spark …

Read moreFinding Great Book Ideas
Category: CreativityTag: Creativity

Exclamation Points!!! Avoid or Embrace?!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 15, 2016
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I love using exclamation points! Don’t you? How about interrobang sentences?! Finally, I think we should bring those back, don’t you?! And not just in dialogue, but in narrative! Finally, shouldn’t readers just really ought to be able to keep up with run-on sentences, no matter how complex, or whether or not they stay on topic, and I wonder how many people could diagram a sentence that’s simple, …

Read moreExclamation Points!!! Avoid or Embrace?!
Category: Craft, Creativity, Grammar, HumorTag: Craft, Grammar, Humor
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