Author Shorts Question 2: Naming characters

I’ve started a new segment where I’ve asked a variety of authors to answer a few questions that I pose. Of course, I love a twist. All answers had to be no more than two sentences. Brevity presents a greater challenge. For me the process was delightful as well as insightful. I love that authors…

Otherworldly Words: Craven

#OtherworldlyWords returns with craven. Craven is the first in a group of words this month expressing fear or cowardice. In my opinion, the most interesting element in these words is how closely words for cowardice are tied to overall moral character. Many of the words make the leap that if you are a coward, you…

Writing Prompt: Dilemma

Your main character is faced with a dilemma: betray a confidence and perhaps lose a friend or stand by and wait for a friend to make what s/he believes is a horrible mistake. What does your character do? What is his or her thought process to make the decision? What scenarios does she or he…

Otherworldly Words: Anancy

April is a month for fools! From words that refer to natural phenomenon that have misled  us to words to describe the things we do to make fools of others, this month I’ll explore words to do with some sort of trickery. Anancy is always up to something. With disguises and other clever tools to fool…

Otherworldly Words: Brocken spectre

April is a month for fools! From words that refer to natural phenomenon that have misled  us to words to describe the things we do to make fools of others, this month I’ll explore words to do with some sort of trickery. First up is brocken spectre. This optical illusion caused by one’s own shadow…

Writing Prompt: April Fools

It’s that time of year again, and your character wishes to pull a prank. What sort of prank will s/he play? Is it simply an act of fun in the spirit of things — or does s/he harbor darker motives? How long has this “prank” been planned? If you enjoyed this post, look around, or…

Author Shorts Question 1: Characterization

I’ve started a new segment where I’ve asked a variety of authors to answer a few questions that I pose. Of course, I love a twist. All answers had to be no more than two sentences. Brevity presents a greater challenge. For me the process was delightful as well as insightful. I love that authors…

Otherworldly Words: Foreboding

Many people’s minds turn to basketball during this time of year. Not mine. I think of Julius Caesar and the dire warning to “beware the Ides of March.” So March is the perfect month for #Otherworldly Words to explore the vocabulary of warnings. Each word in this group foretells something wicked this way coming. Foreboding is more or…

Writing Prompt: Gender Rolls

What if your main character awoke one morning the opposite gender? What would change? Would anything necessarily need to? What about personality traits? Would other characters now view the character differently for the same traits? What’s that say about how we write and about our society? If you enjoyed this post, look around, or sign…

Otherworldly Words: Premonition

Many people’s minds turn to basketball during this time of year. Not mine. I think of Julius Caesar and the dire warning to “beware the Ides of March.” So March is the perfect month for #Otherworldly Words to explore the vocabulary of warnings. Each word in this group foretells something wicked this way coming. While ominous indicates a…