We’re going to return to different types of prompts pretty regularly in these exercises, because they are so effective. Writing to a prompt helps push you out of your comfort zone and routine and can spark an awesome story that you never expected to write. Our previous image prompt exercise …
Several members of our INKubator family are achieving success with their writing goals. In this series, we want to let them share what they’ve achieved and how they feel about it. Of course, for us it’s an extra chance to show these INKlings how proud we are of them. Introduction …
Several members of our INKubator family are achieving success with their writing goals. In this series, we want to let them share what they’ve achieved and how they feel about it. Of course, for us it’s an extra chance to show these INKlings how proud we are of them. Introduction …
Mastering story openers that hook the reader and build up to our story is one of the most essential skills for a writer. If we don’t give our readers a compelling reason to invest their time in our story early on, it won’t matter how solid the middle is or …
This exercise is based on a personal recommendation from Rowena Harding-Smith to R. Jean Bell (aka bex). Bex has been having trouble finishing stories lately, unless they are microfiction. She gets ideas and starts but stalls out and can’t seem to complete them. So the goal of this exercise is …
As a less experienced writer, it can be difficult to know how to provide developmental feedback to your peers. You may feel insecure about your abilities and concerned you’re telling people the wrong things. Grammar feels safe and easy–the rules there are more clear cut. But there is no point …
Part 1 Part 2 Rest It If Possible Rushing is rarely ideal for a story. If you have time, put the story aside for a few hours or overnight before you do a final line edit and submit. Or call in a friend with fresh eyes you trust to …
This is Part Two of Floundering in Feedback. It continues where Part 1 left off. Identify the Root of the Problem First we had to identify the real cause of the conflicting feedback. My crit partners were pulling me in several different directions and none of them offer haphazard advice. …
Dealing with peer review feedback can be absolutely brutal. It’s painful enough that many people shy away from the process time and again even if they know the feedback would help them. No matter how much you love and respect your critique partners, it hurts sometimes. Knowing they’re competent …
