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Writing Craft

The Symbolism and Motif Thesaurus

February 23, 2010

The Symbolism and Motif Thesaurus

February 23, 2010

Each thesaurus collection is built with one concept in mind: creating powerful description. So far, we’ve looked at how to show emotion, how to create effective comparisons and contrasts, and…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Hotel Room

February 20, 2010

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Hotel Room

February 20, 2010

Sight Key card entry, fire escape plan on the back of the door, closet with non-removable hangers, extra blanket/pillow & iron on top shelf, carpet, Bathroom: small with tub/shower, tiled…

Real World Comparisons: Light: Cancer ribbon Pigs Cotton candy Strawberry ice cream Grapefruit flesh Cooked shrimp… Medium: Flamingo Pink lemonade Stargazer lily Guava flesh Cat tongue Rare meat… Dark: Dragon…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Space Ship

February 13, 2010

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Space Ship

February 13, 2010

Content contributor: The fabulous Liana Brooks Sight Controls, bulk head, lights, doorways that seal, ladders, rivets, metal paneling, ridges, pock marks, fire dampening foam, emergency lighting, seats, galley, head, berth,…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Pool Hall

February 6, 2010

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Pool Hall

February 6, 2010

Sight Rows of coin operated pool tables, balls, racks, cues of different weights, chalk squares (blue the most common), bar, stools, drinks on small tables along the walls, coasters, spills,…

Shape Thesaurus Entry: Wavy

February 4, 2010

Shape Thesaurus Entry: Wavy

February 4, 2010

Natural: Calla lily flowers Waves Water currents Open flame Smoke Sand dunes… Man-made: Flags in the wind Bed skirts Silk Swimming pool reflection Ripple afghan Corrugated metal… Synonyms: ruffled, curled, ripple,…

Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Sharing Too Much Information

February 1, 2010

Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Sharing Too Much Information

February 1, 2010

TMI (Too Much Information) We’re all guilty of this sin at some point during the writing process. The trick is finding the correct balance by the time we reach the…

The Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Dialogue Disasters

January 25, 2010

The Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Dialogue Disasters

January 25, 2010

Pick up any work of fiction and flip through it. In fact, flip through several. How much of the novel is dialogue? With the exception of a few genres or…

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Elevator

January 22, 2010

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Elevator

January 22, 2010

Sight Metal doors, metal or faux panelled walls, sticky surfaces, smudges, fingerprints, gum wrappers, dirt, pea gravel on the floor, poster ads behind glass, a sanitizer dispenser, operation panel, buttons…

Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Flat Wordsmithing

January 20, 2010

Seven Deadly Novel Writing Sins: Flat Wordsmithing

January 20, 2010

Sin # 5: Flat Wordsmithing We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘The writing is flat.’ The question is, what does that really mean? Flat writing is where the prose lies dead…