"Write what should not be forgotten." Isabel Allende
A Writing Tool
Sometimes words come easily, other times they stay stuck just beyond our fingertips. Sometimes you question an exact meaning. Fortunately, there are many great tools that help writers check the meaning of words, find synonyms, or help with translations, rhymes, and antonyms. An incredibly powerful word tool, Wordhippo.com helps with all of these - and can lead you down a rabbit hole of fun. Merriam-Webster has a dictionary app that helps with writing and provides quizzes and word games for the word nerd in everyone.
Productivity Tip
One of the biggest issues I see when reviewing manuscripts is that writers fail to connect backstory to something happening in story present. Memories are driven by things that happen in our lives, and this is as true for your characters as it is for you. A smell from childhood can jerk a character back to a specific moment in her childhood, the taste of chocolate can transport her to a Valentine's Day date, or a piece of china can remind her of her grandmother. No one sits down and says "I'm going to remember what fourth grade was like," or "I'm going to think about grandma for five minutes." Instead, memories are triggered by our senses. To make your writing realistic, link revelations about the past with something tangible in the present.
There's a Story Here: Palace of Gaudí Astorga, Astorga, León, Spain, 2004
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.