Category Archives: Writing tools

Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction describes a way of adding tension to poetry and prose without using power shifts and conflict. This PDF will give you a sense of what she’s talking about. Also, consider this sestina and the instructions for … Continue reading →

The writing that interests readers in poems or prose is usually low on the scale of abstraction. It is writing that presents concrete details and avoids abstract generalities or commentary. Abstractions are necessary in some cases, but more often interesting … Continue reading →

Here are two PDFs that can help you start writing poetry or prose. Both are intended to evoke ideas. The first is by Tom Gauld. You can buy copies online. The other is a postcard that came in my mail. … Continue reading →

Lots of advice in few words. Read it here.

I’ve mentioned Robert Boswell’s excellent The Half-Known World: On Writing Fiction here before. One of his essays includes this paragraph: This could be material at the heart of a literary story. It makes the events the result of motivated action rather … Continue reading →

Characterization Techniques (three sets of prompts) To begin developing a character, answer these questions. What does the character look like? Describe him or her. Where was the character born? What was his or her upbringing like? What do the character’s … Continue reading →

Revise this material into a poem. Remember that revision often includes the addition of new material and the cutting of old. Consider revising toward a formal poem or recall the characteristics of free verse. We will try this at least … Continue reading →

As a result of our conversation in English 3420/4420, I’m posting the following links. I like newpages.com as a way to gather information about literary journals, presses, and contests. Duotrope’s Digest is also useful. The Association of Writers and Writing … Continue reading →

I’ll encourage you to explore Metro: Journeys in Writing Creatively again, with an exercise called “Sentence Sounds.”