Archive for the ‘Creative Writing’ Category
Posted on May 25, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
I Write Books… and stuff.
I cannot remember a time I didn’t want to be a writer. I also cannot remember a time when I didn’t write. Thankfully my mother kept a collection of letters, stories, poems and other such things from my very early childhood through my teen years.
I remember thinking many times throughout the years, that writing was the only thing I was truly good at.
My parents, teachers, mentors, etc., always told me how gifted I was at writing. I can remember hearing all the same things, over and over again. “You should write a book.”, “How do you find the words to say all this?”, “Did you write this?”, and my favorite, “Have you ever had any of your work published?”. When I was a kid and early teen, I really hadn’t been published, unless you consider having your essay/story/poem featured in talent shows at school and such.
It wasn’t until high school that I finally got a taste of what it was like to be published in our school journal, which was a big deal at the time (at least to me it was).
I’ve grown up and moved on, and tried all different styles and genre’s of writing, but I come back to fiction every time.
I don’t mind writing articles, and do so occasionally. I also have a non-fiction book that is in its final stages of editing. So, I’m not opposed to writing non-fiction, but more often than not, I enjoy the gratification I get from telling a story that lives inside the depths of my brain and is just waiting for me to put fingers to keyboard and churn out several thousands words.
The saddest part is, that if I counted every WIP (work in progress) that I have, I would say that I am in different stages of completion and editing on at least 45 different stories. Some of them are terrible, I know this – it’s why I haven’t gone back to work on them again. Some of them are amazing, and those are the ones I long to get back to, and work on.
My question for you is, how many WIP’s do you have saved on your hard drive, back up drive, in notebooks, slips of paper, whatever…
Am I the only weirdo that has so many different WIP’s?
Tell it how it is, in the comments.
(Oh, and let me know what you think of the new design – new header images coming very soon!)
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Posted on May 17, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
How To Get Ahead When You Are Behind On Your Word Count
This has always been one of my top blog articles, so I thought I’d do a repost and slight update of the article. Here it is again, with a few minor changes.
Everyone gets stuck, gets busy or for other reasons, falls behind on their word count from time to time. Whether it is a self-made goal, a deadline, a contest or something like nanowrimo, it is frustrating to say the very least. So what do you do?
Do you call your editor?
Do you throw in the towel?
Do you give up and say, I just can’t be a writer?
Absolutely not.
Here are a few ideas that might help.
- Word Wars. Try participating in a word war with someone. Set a specific amount of time and write your heart out. Try not to stop and keep it focused on what you need to happen in your story. I’ve come out of many writer’s blocks by participating in word wars, and then I’ve also wound up with whole sections I needed to delete at the end, but for right now – they are still part of the story.
- Chapter Hop. Try writing ahead. Try writing a particular scene or situation that you know you want in your story. Even if you aren’t there yet, sometimes it will help you go back and fill in the gaps down the road. Last year I did this, and in one writing session I wound up with over 5000 words on one chapter that I was dying to write. I was able to then go back and it was much easier to fill in the gaps leading to that scene.
- Try a creative writing exercise. Find a word prompt or just write something creative from the viewpoint of your character. Who knows, perhaps at the end you can use it in your novel, and if not, you might feel more prepared to begin writing again.
- Take a break. Try watching a half hour of TV or reading a book. Don’t just sit and mindlessly stare at the TV. Think about the plot of whatever you are watching. Think about the characters. Think about what you would have changed or written differently, if you had been the writer of the show or author of the book.
- Try using Write or Die. If you’ve never used it before, many NaNo’ers swear by it. It keeps you writing non-stop and sometimes you can even come up with new material and your characters can take you in directions you didn’t see happening. And now there is a desktop version. You don’t even have to be connected to use it, keeping the distractions at a minimum.
- Plan a vacation for your characters. Take them somewhere new. In your story, have them go on a short vacation. Even if it doesn’t fit in the theme of the book, you can have them win a weekend getaway or something similar from a local radio station or library or something. Taking your characters on vacation could be just what the doctor ordered – for them AND for you.
- Take a walk. Consider going for a walk. The park is usually pretty interesting or inspiring with the nature all around you. Pay attention to your surroundings and just let your mind be. Or if you feel like you need to stay busy, do some people observing and create new characters in your head. Or use the setting for a scene in your book.
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Posted on April 16, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
There Are Only So Many Plots
A friend of mine recommended a book to read, and said that it really helped her focus on her writing and get her ideas and characters in line. She lent me her copy of the book, and I finally picked it up last night to start reading it. The title of the book is really not important, as I didn’t find it helpful to me at all. However, one line in the book stood out among all the other information that was crammed into it.
Depending on what authority you consult, there are only 12, 25, or 112 different plot lines in existence. (Never mind the number – just accept that there are no truly new plots.)
After I read that line, I actually obsessed about it for hours and wasn’t able to sleep. In my mind I started to really think about the hundreds of thousands of books that I have read in my lifetime, and when I stopped obsessing (mainly because I came to a conclusion and I was sleepy), I decided that I respectfully disagree with that statement.
This is my take on it, but please, I actually would love to hear your opinion and why you feel the way you do. Don’t hesitate to disagree with me, I’m open for a conversation.
So, as far as my thinking goes – let’s pretend for arguments sake that the statement has been made as factual, that there are only 112 different plot lines in existence.
Couldn’t we argue then, that it would be dependent on genre?
Are you telling me that if you cross together Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Adventure and so on…there are only 112 (take or give of course) different plot lines across the genres? And even if we assumed that they meant 112 PER genre, I need to respectfully disagree with that as well.
Fantasy writers, as a whole, have any number of plot ideas to choose from to write. I don’t believe that it is limited to only 112. Am I looking at this wrong? Am I narrowing down what I consider to be an actual plot vs. storyline? I really don’t think I am. I think that someone isn’t looking at the overall picture, and if I am wrong, please point it out.
As a side note: Much like many authors, I have files upon files of ideas on my computer. They are just waiting for the time to write them. With that being said, I took a look at them this morning, and while I had a handful that were similar on principle, so I tossed them aside – I came up with what I consider to be 59 different plots. So if I were to conclude that there are only 112 plots, does that mean if I came up with 53 more plot ideas that prove to be nothing like the ideas I kept, will I have written every plot idea out there?
How do you feel about the quote above? Do you agree? Disagree? Why?
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Posted on April 12, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
What Genre Do You Most Write?
I’ve had a lot of questions that I have been wondering lately, and have been posting them on twitter to get answers from as many writers as possible. Today I asked “What genre do you primarily write in?”. The answers were varied, some had more than one. Here is a compilation of the responses.
If you’d like to answer the question, follow me on twitter @simplywriting I’ll follow you back.
@lynfaw – The genres I write in: Christian non-fiction, devotional and unrelated scifi/fantasy.
@Anya_Potter – The genre I primarily write is fantasy romance. I have started expanding to sci-fi romance & supernatural romance.
@Zoe_E_W – Dark fantasy, but I also write sci-fi and horror.
@wickedmoxie – I usually write Paranormal, but I cross back and forth between adult and YA
@IrishWords – You know the answer to this one; I write mystery/crime/detective-ish stories.
@Falcons_Honour – Urban fantasy, LGBT fiction, non-sparkly vampires. Sometimes all three at once. 
@MarianAllen – The genre I generally write in is fantasy. Some sf, mystery, romance, mainstream, whatever, but mostly fantasy.
@Merilynjune -Criticism & Fiction – can be mixed
@jjochwat – What genre do I primarily write in? It’s called “Incompetence.”
@Wiswell – I love writing Incompetence. Might be my genre of choice, too. A lot of great humor and honesty to it.
@geekomancer – Adventure
@lizzayn – I normally write horror but I’m trying to branch out to mystery/thrillers.
@David_Amodio – Satirical non-fiction =]
@Jennifer_MK – mostly literary fiction
@oldognewtrix – Police/detective/crime novels. Started a sci-fi post apocalyptic called “surviving armageddon” 1st two installments on OEN.
@Doublelattemama – I’m still figuring that out – can I say “to be determined?” 
@blanghinrichs – Probably sci-fi, but I like writing in lots of genres.
@AVeryGoodYear Fantasy.
I will probably ask the question again in a couple of weeks just to see what others have to say. There was absolutely no reason for this, only that I was curious. Enjoy!
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Posted on April 11, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Need a Character?
As if I don’t have enough books (or WIP’s) I am working on right now, I recently (about a month ago) started a new one. I thought I could just outline, flesh out the plot a little and move back to something I am almost done with. That wasn’t the case, this story wants to be written. So between editing and revisions on the previous work in progress, I have been working on this other one.
It wasn’t very long before I realized that while I had a great story and plot, I was still in need of some characters that would fit into the story.
I am a people watcher. I love going places and taking in the people that are there. I do it unintentionally too. Last night I was at a bar with my friends band and obviously my mind was pretty far away from writing. Well, as of this morning, I have added three new characters to my novel all based on people from last night. I’ve been writing almost since I got up and I love the direction the story is going. I am assuming that I was supposed to see/meet these people last night. In a million years, I never thought I would ever find a character at a bar unless I was looking for someone drunk (which incidentally, one of the characters actually sort of is).
My favorite places to find characters for my novels have been the coffee shop, restaurants and the food court at the mall (a lot of interesting people pass the food court at a mall!)
Do you ever unintentionally eavesdrop? I feel like such a bad person, but that’s something I am finding myself doing a lot, and then sticking that dialog or simply a sentence or two that was said, into my books.
I’ve heard entire stories and then improvised the things that were left unsaid and written them into a chapter of my book. In fact, I have several notebooks FULL of dialog, character traits and things like that, that were seen or overheard somewhere, just waiting for the perfect character to use it with.
So, where are your favorite places to “character find” (people watch)?
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Posted on April 6, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Writer At Work: Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning is a big part of my April and May every year. We’ve already got a lot done, so I took advantage of the afternoon and started working on spring cleaning my computer files. I have to tell you, it sort of looks like this.
See more of Richard Krzemien Writer’s At Work here: http://www.thewriteratwork.com/site/index.asp
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Posted on March 29, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Inspirational Photographs
I draw inspiration from a lot of different sources, but when I am having a particularly tough time sitting down to write, I love to look at imagery. This can come from visiting a certain place, or just looking at a photograph of a beautiful location. If you saw the amount of “coffee-table” style books that I own filled to capacity with photographs of the most beautiful places in the world.
I’m a very visual person, in case you can’t figure that out just yet. The photographs that I use to get the writing juices flowing, are very particular. They have to speak to me somehow. When I get lost in a photograph it is often the medicine I needed to get down to business and start writing. The writing that follows after viewing certain photographs, is very often my best. This includes, but is certainly not limited to actually being somewhere beautiful. However, the photographs work just fine too.
I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you and tell you why they inspire me. I do have to admit, that upon looking at my 1000′s of photographs so I could choose some of my favorites, I discovered a common theme that I am sure a psychologist would have a blast picking apart. I seem to have some kind of thing with doors, windows, tunnels, bridges… anything that seems to lead to something else. I’m serious, take a look.
Doors – Yes, I love doors. I have no idea why. Especially the doors that look really old, like they have withstood the test of time and obviously have amazing things on the other side. I guess my reasoning behind this, is that the story is left unwritten until I create the “story of the door” – Who’s on the other side? What’s on the other side? It seems to be all about what’s on the other side for me. I don’t know.
Alleys - It’s the darkness, the confined space. The beauty of wondering where it takes you. I’m not sure. I have almost 100 photos of different alleys. How weird is that?
Bridges – I love bridges and this was the hardest folder to choose favorites out of, because essentially any bridge seems to inspire. I also really love dilapidated bridges – or those that are naturally made.
Paths and Walkways – I guess because its one of those “Where does it lead?” kind of things.
Spiral Staircases – I am sure there is some psychological dissection that could go on here alone – I love spiral staircases. These photographs don’t even begin to show the ridiculous amount of photographs I have of staircases – mostly spiral. But some really amazing outdoor and antique staircases.
Single Trees – I have 100′s of photographs I have taken myself when we’ve been all over the country, showing a single tree – standing alone in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know why I love them, but I really do.
Lastly, abandoned houses. Why do I love them? Because there is a hidden story behind why they are abandoned and I dream of discovering what that is. Sometimes when I am looking for something to write, I use one of these photos to write the story of the now dilapidated state of the home. I’m always on the lookout while driving around for houses that appear to be abandoned or just very run down. There is one in particular that one of these days I will stop and get that picture I’ve wanted for years.
And that my friends, is it. So show me your inspiration. I love looking at what others glean inspiration from, so give it to me. Leave me a comment or link to it. 
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Posted on March 20, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Writing Rules
I don’t know why I love this poster. I have seen it all over the place, and you can even order it on the Internet. I do not have a copy myself, though most of the rules I do live by. I will probably get one just to hang in my writing area and stare at from time to time.
My favorite is the very first one – write everyday. It doesn’t actually have to be on a WIP, but it should be creative none the less. I wish I did that more. I try, I really do. If writing on facebook and twitter count, then I am ahead of the game. I don’t think they do.
And if I could get better about blogging more frequently, I guess I would have that too.
How do you make sure that you follow these rules? Are there any you disagree with?
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Posted on February 2, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
Script Frenzy? To Do, or Not to Do?
So… do you do Script Frenzy? Have you ever? Is this your first year?
I have actually never done it before, though I have participated in NaNoWriMo for six years now.
I’m in the middle of editing one of my WIP’s right now, but I figure that I should probably need a break from it, come mid-March or so. So what do you think? Have you done Script Frenzy? How did it go?
1. I am perfectly aware that script writing is vastly different than novel writing. This might be the reason for my hesitation.
2. I already have several other WIP’s that I should work on. The intrigue of the unknown is calling me though.
3. I’m scared to death that I will fail. I have literally no clue what I am doing when it comes to writing a script. Obviously I get the general idea, but not the “How to”.
So with that all being said, Do or Not Do? That’s my question.
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Posted on February 1, 2010 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
How to Avoid Common Writing Mistakes – Humor Edition
I have seen this before and had it posted on my other blog a few years back. I came across it again, made me smile, and I figured I’d just share it with all of you too. So, sit back and enjoy (and learn something too!
- Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.
- Never use no double negatives.
- Use the semicolon properly, always where it is appropriate; and never where it is not.
- Reserve the apostrophe for it’s proper use and omit it where it is not needed.
- Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
- No sentence fragments.
- Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
- Avoid commas, that are not necessary.
- When you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
- A writer must not shift your point of view.
- Do not overuse exclamation marks!!! (In fact, avoid them whenever possible!!!)
- And do not start a sentence with a conjunction.
- Place pronouns as closely as possible, especially in long sentences, as of ten or more words, to their antecedents.
- Hyphenate only between syllables and avoid un-necessary hyphens.
- Write all adverbial forms correct.
- Don’t use contractions.
- Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.
- It is incumbent on us to avoid archaisms.
- If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
- Steer clear of incorrect verb forms that have snuck into the language.
- Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixed metaphors.
- Avoid modernisms that sound flaky.
- Avoid barbarisms: they impact too forcefully.
- Never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
- Everyone should be careful to use singular pronouns with singular nouns in their writing.
- If we’ve told you once, we’ve told you a thousand times: avoid hyperbole.
- Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.
- Do not string a large number of prepositional phrases together unless you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
- Always pick on the the correct idiom.
- “Avoid overuse of ‘quotation’ ‘marks.’”
- Never use more words than are necessary to get your point across: be concise.
- Awayz check you’re spelling. (Your spellchecker would only pick up one of the two errors here.)
- Always be avoided by the passive voice.
- Every sentence a verb.
- Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague: seek viable alternatives.
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