Bumper week here at Writerly Goodness đ
The week previous, K.M. Weiland shared the reasons she believes writing is important, last week, she collected her readersâ thoughts on the issue. Helping writers become authors
On a related note: what do we write when the world feels insane? Sarah Seleckyâs Story is a state of mind.
K.M. Weiland returns with more writing lessons from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the single best way to write powerful themes.
Roz Morris offers ten eye-opening tips to add impact to your storytelling. Nail your novel
Chuck Wendig lists 25 reasons he stops reading books. Terribleminds
Then Chuck shares ten things he learned about storytelling from Stranger Things.
Related: Janice Hardy shares lessons learned about handling flashbacks from Stranger Things. Fiction University. Nick Wisseman then guests posts on Janiceâs blog, explaining how to plot your pants (wait . . . that sounds bad).
Janice then hopes over to Writers in the Storm to post: using internal conflict to create plot.
Finally, Janice guest posts on Jami Goldâs blog: if youâre stuck on plot, start at the end.
Lisa Cron writes about getting out of your process comfort zone: there is no safe place. Not plotter or pantser, but seeker. Writer Unboxed
Allie Larkin shows us how to organize a second draft with note cards and Tom Petty. Writer Unboxed
Christine Frazier shows us how to write a fight scene in which the hero fends off an attack to save a friend. The better novel project
Chris Winkle shares what she knows about creating realistic cultures. Mythcreants
Sarah Callender writes about enduring the long road to publication for Writer Unboxed.
The author as busy, busy bee and other bee-filled nightmares. Kameron Hurley.
Phil Stamper-Halpin shares what the editors of Penguin Random House look for in the first page of a novel.
Jennifer Johnson Blalock offers six ways to make comp titles work for you on Carly Wattersâ blog.
Susan Spann helps you understand ebook rights. Writers in the Storm.
Robin Lovett shares what she learned from a negative experience: when your book doesnât sell. DIYMFA
Gabriela Pereira interviews Andrew Piper (not the Canadian author) on her DIYMFA Radio podcast. Will an MFA influence your chances of success as an author?
Timothy Beck Werth looks at Djuna Barnesâ 1936 novel Nightwood and what may be the first trans woman in western literature. The Awl
Lorraine Berry: the horror of female adolescence and how to write about it. The Guardian
Michael Newton leads a celebration of Alan Garner. The Guardian
Ursula K. Le Guin writes about the golden age for The New Yorker. âI . . . think it ungrateful in a writer to write science fiction and deny that itâs science fiction.â
BrainPickings looks at Le Guinâs thoughts on aging and the meaning of beauty.
âWhat the market wantsâ is code for white stories in science fiction where black writers face universal racism. Amy McNeill for The National Post.
Michael Swanick lists five fantasy novels you wonât find in the fantasy section. Tor.com
Sarah Gailey writes in defence of villainesses for Tor.com.
Writing begins with forgiveness: why one of the most common pieces of writing advice is wrong. Daniel José Older on Seven Scribes.
Every writerâs worst nightmare: Helen Gladwell died before learning that her first book had been accepted for publication. Worse, her body remained undiscovered for months. The Telegraph
I saw this article in many forms over the last week. This one, by Jenn Savedge for Mother Nature Network, was the first. Reading a minimum of 30 minutes a day can extend your lifespan.
Jacob Mikanowski examines the Oneirocritica, an ancient encyclopaedia of dreams and dream interpretation. The Awl
Anthony Jones lists 25 words for other words. Mental Floss
Abraham Riesman interviews Margaret Atwood at San Diego ComiCon. The Vulture
Katharine Trendacosta reports that The Silver Chair, the next film adaptation of C.S. Lewisâs Narnia series, is in production. Whee! i09
Germaine Lussier presents a first look at the Arrival trailer. i09
Phil and I are looking forward to September 30 for this reason: Luke Cage. i09
Laura Prudom breaks George R.R. Martin news for Variety: Wild Cards series in development.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer.
Thems was some juicy informal writerly learnings, eh?
Iâm off to WorldCon tomorrow. Poor Philâs holding down the fort. Not to worry, my momâs going to feed him đ Thursdayâs curation has already been scheduled, but the blog will be silent from the 19th to the 26th. For the sake of sanity, Iâm not going to catch up on the curation.
Be well. Be kind.