Tag: writing

Quotation Inspiration #005: The way I feel about strong writing and…

Jul 11, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in fiction, nonfiction, novels, poetry, short stories, writing technique

This quotation is definitely the way I feel about strong writing and dedicated readers: Try this: Take a moment to reflect: What’s beautiful about the writing you admire?
Quotation Inspiration #004: Good advice from Oscar Wilde

Jul 1, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in knockout idea

Try this: Why not try a piece of writing where someone can NOT take this advice? Someone who tries their best to be anyone or anything else and finds problem after problem because of it . . .
Quotation Inspiration #003: Decision making by Emerson

Jun 22, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in knockout idea

Sometimes making the choice to do something is the toughest. Once you’ve done that… KEEP WRITING! FINISH THAT NOVEL, SHORT STORY, POEM…
Vandermeer on dissection for fiction writers

Jun 18, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in knockout idea, writer ace baker, writing technique

First of all, I picked up a copy of Jeff Vandermeer’s book, Wonderbook, and I’m having trouble deciding whether it’s a book about writing or a work of art–amazing! But on page 42, I read the following: To grow as a fiction writer, you absolutely must engage in some dissection of stories, your own and…
Can you smell it? How to use strong imagery like Natalie Kusz in “Vital Signs”!

Jun 15, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in choose your weapon, fiction, nonfiction, writing technique

Imagery is a definite “choose your weapon” topic. I mean, you have five senses to choose from (or combinations of them). While sight and touch are present in many works, look at how Natalie Kusz appeals to the sense of SMELL in “Vital Signs”: I was always waking up, in those days, to the smell…
Make your opening paragraph Google-worthy!

May 28, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in fancy footwork, starters, writing technique

Strange title for today’s post, I know. I’ll let you know in a minute or two what I mean by it, but in the meantime, read this short passage from “Man Changing into Thunderbird,” by Armand Garnet Ruffo(published in the summer 2013 edition of The Malahat Review): The room is cramped with people. an…
LIST OPENINGS…how they can help your fiction and nonfiction

May 27, 2014

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by

Ace Baker

in fancy footwork, fiction, nonfiction, power punch, starters, writing technique

There is a power to momentum that is undeniable and unstoppable. Many writers have learned to benefit from the energy of a LIST early in a piece of creative fiction or nonfiction. Let me SHOW you what I mean . . . Here’s a beginning paragraph from Gordon Grice’s “The Black Widow” in High…
Title generator #001: Great titles for your poetry or prose!

Aug 21, 2013

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by

Ace Baker

in fiction, knockout idea, nonfiction, novels, poetry, short stories

One way to jolt your creativity is to come up with a list of new titles for pieces you HAVEN’T written yet. One way to do that is to make a mashup of OTHER titles. For instance, I recently bought a copy of Force Field: 77 Women Poets of British Columbia. Here’s a bit…
Horror week #003: Exaggerate in your writing to grab your readers!

Aug 3, 2013

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by

Ace Baker

in fancy footwork, fiction, novels, short stories, writing technique

Exaggeration (hyperbole and understatement) is a tool often used in horror fiction. Stating that things are the absolute worst (hyperbole) sends a clear message to the reader: this character doesn’t want to be here right now–and neither would YOU! Look at how Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie use it immediately…
Horror writing #002: Miss you…!

Aug 2, 2013

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by

Ace Baker

in fancy footwork, fiction, novels, short stories, writing technique

If you want to create some mystery, right out of the gate, then have something missing that really ought to be there. Look at how horror writer Patricia Windsor manages that in The Blooding: They were found in the woods, curiously and awkwardly lying in the first leaves of autumn. The girl had fallen…