Megan DiMaria
Five necessary components to a novel
Sometimes it good to remember stuff we've already been taught. Elementary, yes—but it's good to ponder the basics of novel writing. One:...
top of page
A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
A Prisoner of Hope
Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.
I post every Tuesday.
Search
Megan DiMaria
- May 7, 2019
- 2 min
Writers: resources and tips for crafting better descriptions
You've heard the quote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It's from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The saying implies...
Megan DiMaria
- Apr 30, 2019
- 3 min
Tips and guidelines for author critique groups
Participating in a critique group can be one of the best things you can do to help move forward in your writing skills. A crit group will...
Megan DiMaria
- Nov 6, 2018
- 1 min
Strategies to overcome writer's burnout, part 2
Last Tuesday I discussing writer's block and strategies to get your productivity back on track. Writer's block doesn’t have to paralyze...
Megan DiMaria
- Oct 30, 2018
- 1 min
Strategies to overcome writer's burnout, part 1
Dear writer, are you feeling burned out? Is your word count and productivity down? Do you want to beat your head against a wall to battle...
Megan DiMaria
- Oct 16, 2018
- 2 min
13 Pieces of Advice from Famous Authors
Are you a weary writer in need of some advice? Writers and would-be writers are always looking for wisdom from those who’ve gone before...
Megan DiMaria
- Sep 11, 2018
- 2 min
How to prepare for a writers conference
Are you going to a writers conference this year? I hope so. Next week, I'm going to the ACFW conference in Nashville. Can't wait!...
Megan DiMaria
- Oct 10, 2017
- 2 min
Don't waste pretty words. File them away!
Writers, do you keep a pretty-word file? Sometimes a description hits the spot exactly. When that happens in a novel I’m reading, I often...
Megan DiMaria
- May 30, 2017
- 2 min
Understanding Author Voice, part three
*This is part three in a series. View parts one and two. I hope you’re enjoying the different samples of author voice we're including...
Megan DiMaria
- May 16, 2017
- 3 min
What is Author Voice?
A lot of time is spent in writing circles discussing author voice. What is it? How do you perfect it? Author voice is the way in which an...
Megan DiMaria
- Apr 25, 2017
- 2 min
How does a writer decide on an idea? Part Two
This is the second of a two-part topic. See part one here. If you ask a seasoned writer, they’ll tell you that ideas are in the air....
Megan DiMaria
- Apr 18, 2017
- 2 min
How does a writer decide on an idea? Part One
How does a writer decide on an idea? I believe writers are peculiar people. We tuck bits of memories in our brains and hearts only to...
Megan DiMaria
- Apr 4, 2017
- 2 min
Writers, learn to put rejection in perspective
Rejection is an ugly word, especially to a writer. But we need to keep it in perspective. To help you put rejection into perspective, I’d...
Megan DiMaria
- Mar 28, 2017
- 2 min
Why readers need to experience the novel (see it, smell it, feel it, taste it, hear it . . .)
I recently read a story that left me wholly unsatisfied. The author skimped on writing in the sensory details. I felt disoriented while...
Megan DiMaria
- Feb 28, 2017
- 2 min
Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block
Consider yourself the luckiest writer in the universe if you’ve never experienced a moment of writer’s block. Consider yourself fortunate...
Megan DiMaria
- Feb 7, 2017
- 1 min
Great Writing Websites to Check Out
If you're a writer, do you spend time reading tips from pros and other writers in the trenches? You should. I have a few favorite writing...
Megan DiMaria
- Jan 17, 2017
- 1 min
Keys for writers to develop a unique voice:
I have good news and bad news for you today. The good news is that no one, no other writer, speaker, or thinker can steal your voice. And...
Megan DiMaria
- Jan 10, 2017
- 2 min
Writers, avoid the weasel words!
Want to make your writing more irresistible? Then learn what the weasel words are, and avoid them. Weasel words are words that somehow...
Megan DiMaria
- Oct 18, 2016
- 1 min
Why writers should respect their readers
As a writer, do you feel a responsibility to respect your reader? How do you do that? An Associate Press news article caught my eye, and...
bottom of page