Satire pokes fun at the truth. Think SNL or The Onion. In this post I’ll talk about the purpose, style and some techniques to use to create believability in your satire. Satire Purpose Generally speaking, satire is a vehicle for humorous ridicule. It highlights the absurdity of an action or government policy. SNL’s opening regularly skewers the news of the day while driving home the outlandish claims and actions of those in power. The Onion’s article Everything You Need to Know About President Trump’s Board of Peace included this line regarding membership requirements: Pay the $1 billion fee for permanent membership and submit letters of recommendation from three different war…
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Quiet Writing at the Library
A dense freezing fog painted the trees white. Even though the thermostat read 70 degrees, a simple look out the window gave me a chill. At the end of the day, I crawled into bed and nestled under the covers expecting a reprieve from the dreary cold. Sleep Socks I lay there, as I often do, impatient for sleep. I plumped my pillow and closed my eyes from the bedside clock’s illuminated display. I turned on my side and waited. Sleep didn’t come. I tossed. I turned. My toes were icicles that refused to warm up. I rose, careful not to wake my softly snoring husband. Rummaging through my sock…
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Unclutter Your Desk
Is a cluttered desk a sign of a cluttered mind, as the saying goes? I can tell you I’m more productive when my desk is uncluttered. I have a habit of starting on something, printing it, then setting it aside. Pretty soon I have random piles of unfinished work. Today’s post on organizing your space is as much for you, dear reader as it is for me, so here goes! Organizing Your Space You must develop a system that works for you. Perhaps you clear your desk at the end of each writing session. Or at the end of each week. Or season. No, that won’t work. The point is…
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How to Write a Platonic Relationship
So, you want to write a platonic relationship. Where to start? First off, realize that platonic relationships exist in many forms. Understand that a platonic relationship is based on deep respect and care for another person. They can be unbelievably complex, which makes writing them great fun! Friends or Lovers? Write a platonic relationship as a non-romantic friendship. Typically, readers expect a man and woman’s friendship to evolve romantically. The romance novel genre exists to fill this role. In reality, some friendships are just friendships. People who share a work space can have lunch and have deep philosophical conversations without physical attraction. Members of clubs or associations can discuss their…
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Levels of Sharing Your Work
There are three levels of sharing work, each with its own purpose. In this post I will talk about brainstorming, feedback, and publishing. Level 1 Brainstorming The first level is the brainstorming stage where you kick around an idea with others to see if it has any weight. Think of brainstorming as a form of prewriting. Maybe you saw something on the news that you want to explore, overheard a conversation that piqued your interest, or have the seed of an idea that simply begs to be developed. At this level, sharing that idea can help refine the angle you wish to pursue. When you nail that down, write a…
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Create a Writing System
I’m developing a writing system instead of a resolution or intention word for 2025. Goals are important but I gave up on resolutions years ago when I realized they rarely made it past February. Intention words are a newer addition to the January goal-setting tradition. They have worked better for me but honestly, intentions and action aren’t the same thing. Remember the expression the road to Hell is paved with good intentions? No, this year I’m developing a writing system that I WILL stick to. In today’s post I’ll share the purpose, the process, and the particulars of developing a writing system. Purpose This January I took a class with…
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Body Language and Dialogue
Body language and dialogue play equal roles in communication. Sign language interpreters are engaging and expressive. While their hands sculpt meaning for the hearing impaired, their facial expressions drive home the emotional tenor. As a public official reads from a prepared disaster statement in calm tones, the interpreter punctuates the message with sharp movements and facial expressions that convey the true seriousness of the situation. Body Language When writing dialogue, channel the sign language interpreter. Have your characters jab with intensity and sway as if buffeted by hurricane force winds. Display emotion not only in facial expression, but with shoulders, posture, gaze. Imagine you are observing your character from across…
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Five W’s of Press Releases
Press releases answer five questions: who, what, when, where, and why. Answering these five questions will help spread the word to your target audience about your event or product in an efficient, affordable manner. Who Anyone with an event or product to promote should use a press release. Hosting a 100-year birthday party for your favorite aunt? Running an auction to raise funds for the local food bank? Promoting your new book? Start with a press release to get the word out. What A press release is a statement to the media to promote an event or product. Nowadays the media landscape includes everything from print to digital media. Digital…
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Create a Board Book
Create a board book for that special infant or toddler on your gift list. Board books are typically concept books with a single theme: family, animals, vehicles, toys. Usually, one page will have an illustration or photo and the facing page will have limited text-sometimes a single word. With durable pages and personalized content, board books are sure to be read and reread. Choose a Recipient I’m a long-distance Grammy. To create a board book for my new grandchild, I focused on photos of family members including those of us who live in a different state. Grammy, Grandpa, and Auntie are featured on two pages each with rhyming text. I…
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Author Readings
Author readings don’t have to strike fear in your heart. This post will talk about why, where, and how to have a successful reading. Why Writers tend to shun the spotlight. But the reality is writers are responsible for marketing their own work. To be successful, you have to put yourself in front of your target audience. Nonfiction authors reach their audience through interviews, articles, and presentations. Fiction authors will write short fiction, enter contests, do interviews, and yes, read portions of their work to live audiences. Reading short work aloud in public is great practice for when you publish that novel you’ve been working on. Where So, where does…
