The Writing Process

Most popular posts

parallelism

Parallelism: Crafting Meaning in Repetition

There’s no rhythm without some repeated notes. Certain literary and rhetorical devices are so ingrained in how we speak and...

dark night of the soul

The Dark Night of the Soul

The “dark night of the soul” is that moment in a story where all seems lost. It is the biggest...

in medias res

What is “In Medias Res”?

Some stories drop you straight into the middle of chaos in the first scene, giving little to no explanation. This...

high fantasy vs low fantasy

High Fantasy vs Low Fantasy

All stories have some magic in them. On one end of the spectrum, you have stories spanning across galaxies with...

misdirection

The Art of Narrative Misdirection

Misdirection — the art of strategically concealing and revealing information — is one of the most potent literary tools that...

tragic hero

The Tragic Hero 

Tragic heroes are like a falling star, burning, hurtling to their doom, but are a sight to behold all the...

Becoming a Professional Writer
Blog
Alan Watt

Becoming a Professional Writer

The publishing industry has undergone tremendous changes over the years. “Mid-list” writers who relied on decent advances from their publishers have found

Read More »
The Creative Process
Blog
Alan Watt

The Creative Process

When my son, Ray, was first learning to speak, there were so many new words each day — the syntax often fascinating

Read More »
Trust
Blog
Alan Watt

Trust

I grew up in a very bright, academic family, but at times I felt alone. My family members were very logical, reasonable

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Writing the Forbidden
Blog
Alan Watt

Writing the Forbidden

“Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are so ingrained in our society we rarely stop to think about it. I can

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The Arc of a Scene
Blog
Alan Watt

The Arc of a Scene

“I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other

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The Great American Novel
Blog
Alan Watt

The Great American Novel

Every American writer secretly dreams of writing the “Great American Novel.” What would that look like? It’s a book that captures the

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Recent posts

Your Writing Process is Valid

Your Writing Process is Valid

Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....

Becoming a Professional Writer

Becoming a Professional Writer

The publishing industry has undergone tremendous changes over the years. “Mid-list” writers who relied on decent advances from their publishers...

The Creative Process

The Creative Process

When my son, Ray, was first learning to speak, there were so many new words each day — the syntax...

Trust

Trust

I grew up in a very bright, academic family, but at times I felt alone. My family members were very...

Writing the Forbidden

Writing the Forbidden

“Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are so ingrained in our society we rarely stop to think about it....

The Arc of a Scene

The Arc of a Scene

“I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than...

The Great American Novel

The Great American Novel

Every American writer secretly dreams of writing the “Great American Novel.” What would that look like? It’s a book that...

Writers The Time is Now

Writers, The Time is Now

I know writers who have struggled for decades to complete their first novel. They work on their novel for a...