"You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” Octavia Butler
A Practical Writing Tool
If you write with a laptop, get a stand, keyboard, and mouse. I used to love taking my laptop to coffee shops and write-ins. Now that I'm doing most of my writing at home, an aching back and shoulders made me find an ergonomic writing solution. Wireless keyboard/mouse combos are available from almost any place that sells electronics. Search "adjustable laptop stand," and you'll find a huge selection. Pain-free writing is a few clicks away (and the camera is positioned perfectly for Zoom sessions).
Craft Tip
Be generous with your readers, not stingy. Take them into your character's thoughts and emotions. Err on the side of putting more internal dialogue (your character's thoughts) on the page as characters make meaning out of what's happening to them in the story. According to Lisa Cron in Wired for Story, "we really do slip into the protagonist's skin, feeling what she feels, experiencing what she experiences." Give readers a robust experience so they'll want to read on.
There's a Story Here: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1990
What story would you write about this photo?
Next Step Book Coach - If you're ready to start your novel, are stuck in the middle, or have finished and need to know what to do next - we can help.