Be Inspired / 103 posts found
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Unexpected Mission
Plot twist story prompts aren’t meant for the beginning or the end of stories. Rather, they’re for forcing big and small turns in the anticipated trajectory of a story. This is to make it more interesting for the readers and writers alike. Each week, I’ll provide a new prompt to help twist your story. Find last week’s prompt, Transgression Moment, here. Plot Twist Story Prompts: Unexpected Mission For today’s prompt, send your character (or characters) on a mission. The unexpected mission could be to send a hobbit with a group of dwarves to seek treasure (The Hobbit), or the mission […]
Adele Myers: On Family History Inspiring Fiction
Adele Myers grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works in advertising and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son and their rescue dog, Chipper. The Tobacco Wives is her first novel. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Adele Myers In this post, Adele discusses how stories from her family’s past led her to writing her historical fiction novel, The Tobacco Wives, how it went from short story to full novel, and more! Name: Adele MyersLiterary agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & NesbitBook […]
Fear Factor: How Embedding in Extreme Environments Can Lead to Compelling Fiction
Fear is a big, dumb mutt of a word. It’s what you feel when a bus barrels at you head on, when a wonky email lands in your inbox, when your kid says he’ll be home by nine and it’s nearly 11. But fear is useful. It springs you from the path of that bus, lifts your hand from the keys, fires up your detective skills to track down your kid. But fear, in all its incarnations—dread, apprehension, anxiety, unease, even awe—can do more than save you from buses; it can also make you smarter, more adept in your surroundings, […]
A Toolkit for Managing the Anxiety of the Publishing Process
As a chronically anxious person (shout out to Prozac for being the longest relationship I’ve ever had!), there’s a fun level of irony that I get to put this toolkit together. But, as the adage goes, write what you know. And oh, how I know about the anxiety of publishing. (How to Love Writing a Book) From going on submission with my first book, A Brush with Love, at the start of the pandemic to debuting during supply chain disruptions and a brand-new viral variant, I’ve had quite a few sleepless nights of panic in the process. But if therapy […]
Lynn Hightower: On Being a Thriller Writer
Lynn Hightower is the author of numerous thrillers, including the Sonora Blair and Lena Padget detective series. Her internationally bestselling novels have been included in the New York Times List of Notable Books, the London Times’ bestseller lists, the WH Smith Fresh Talent Awards, and the Shamus award. Also, Lynn teaches Master Novel classes in the UCLA Extension Writing Program, and works as a manuscript consultant/writing coach for novelists. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Lynn Hightower In this post, Lynn discusses the curiosity that led her to write her new paranormal thriller, The Enlightenment Project, her advice for […]
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 602
For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Happy (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: “Happy to See You,” “Happy Birthday,” “Happy You’re Happy,” and/or “Happy Now?” Also, feel free to replace “happy” with “happiness.” Remember: These prompts are springboards to creativity. Use them to expand your possibilities, not limit them. Note on commenting: If you wish to comment on the site, go to Disqus to create a free new account, verify your account on this site below (one-time thing), and […]
Party Time
Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash I’ve been thinking about crowds and especially the sound of crowds a lot lately—something that’s been pretty absent for me for the last two years—and that got me thinking about parties. Birthday, retirement, anniversary, you name it, there’s usually a party to celebrate it. For this week, set your story at a party. Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments below.
Ron Franscell: On the Secret to His Writing Success
Ron Franscell is the acclaimed author of 18 books and has been hailed as one of America’s most respected narrative nonfiction writers. Although he has covered war and natural disasters abroad as a journalist, he authored the international true-crime bestsellers The Darkest Night and the 2017 Edgar finalist Morgue: A Life in Death. His debut book Angel Fire—a USA Today bestselling literary novel about two brothers’ necessary relationship and the wounds of war—was listed by the San Francisco Chronicle among the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century West. Find him on Twitter and Facebook. Ron Franscell Photo by Ashley […]
Rio Youers: On California Calling
Rio Youers is the critically acclaimed author of Lola on Fire, Westlake Soul, and Halcyon. His 2017 thriller, The Forgotten Girl, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. He is the writer of Sleeping Beauties, a comic book series based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King and Owen King. Rio lives in Ontario, Canada, with his wife and their two children. Find him on Twitter and Instagram. Rio Youers In this post, Rio discusses discusses exploring new settings for his new thriller, No Second Chances, the support he feels from his publishing team, and more! […]
Plot Twist Story Prompts: Transgression Moment
Plot twist story prompts aren’t meant for the beginning or the end of stories. Rather, they’re for forcing big and small turns in the anticipated trajectory of a story. This is to make it more interesting for the readers and writers alike. Each week, I’ll provide a new prompt to help twist your story. Find last week’s prompt, Who Am I?, here. Plot Twist Story Prompts: Transgression Moment For today’s prompt, show a character’s first moment of transgression. A transgression, of course, is an act that goes against a rule, a law, or even a moral code. Perhaps your character […]