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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 the first and third Tuesday of the month.
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Gaining perspective: editing and rewriting
It's a part of every book's journey: editing and rewriting. It would be wonderful if you could dash the words onto the page with ease and...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 10, 20191 min read


Hiraeth, a longing that drives your thoughts and stirs your heart
Hello, friends. I can hardly believe summer is behind us. I've not spent nearly enough time whiling away hours my backyard hammock. I...

Megan DiMaria
Sep 3, 20193 min read


What to do when you need to redeem the day (or situation)
Have you ever had one of those days? A few years ago, I rose before the sun to get an early flight so I could travel to a conference. I...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 27, 20193 min read


Be the grateful one
I learned a painful lesson many years ago. It’s this: no one has to be nice to you. No one. Many people don't understand this. Not...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 20, 20192 min read


Twenty simple tips for stronger writing
Sometimes, I go through my old files from past writing seminars and conferences to brush up on what I've learned. Today, I compiled a...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 13, 20192 min read


Tips on how perspective colors your character's world
There's truth and then there's a character's perspective. Both can be honest, even if the reality is experienced in different ways. I...

Megan DiMaria
Aug 6, 20192 min read


The essential needs of your novel’s protagonist
Your protagonist—the main character of your novel—has some specific needs that must be addressed up front that will compel the reader to...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 30, 20192 min read


The challenges and joys of being creative
Writers and artists, what does it mean to you to be a creative? I've been thinking about the challenges and joys of being creative. Being...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 23, 20192 min read


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:...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 16, 20191 min read


Choosing the best word in your writing
As writers, we work with words the way a sculptor uses chisels, files, and hammers. The words we choose and the way we arrange them...

Megan DiMaria
Jul 9, 20193 min read



Megan DiMaria
Jun 25, 20190 min read


Simple tips for writing an elevator pitch
If you’re writing a book, you need to have an elevator pitch prepared for when someone asks you about your work. An elevator pitch is a...

Megan DiMaria
Jun 18, 20192 min read


How long is too long to keep on trying?
One of the hardest decisions you’ll ever face in life is choosing whether to walk away or try harder. ~Zaid K. Abdelnour Have you been...

Megan DiMaria
Jun 11, 20192 min read


You may need to read this: Just Pray!
Today's message is simple and straightforward: just pray! There are days when challenges seem to come out of the air. There are days when...

Megan DiMaria
Jun 4, 20192 min read


Writers: Six tips to refresh your creativity
Writers can get overwhelmed trying to find a new way to communicate the ordinary and everyday moments that make up life. Writers can get...

Megan DiMaria
May 28, 20192 min read


Answering critics and strategies to deal with disappointment
Everyone’s a critic. Everyone has an opinion. And of course, everyone's entitled to their opinion. But what happens when a critic or a...

Megan DiMaria
May 21, 20192 min read


Why authors (and everyone else) need to be on their best behavior
In today’s world, a careless word or Tweet can circle the globe faster than a shooting star can light up the heavens. We move in a...

Megan DiMaria
May 14, 20192 min read


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
May 7, 20192 min read


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
Apr 30, 20193 min read


Eleven tips for revealing your novel's characters
Hi! I'm back after my Lenten break. I didn't blog, but I haven't neglected my writing. I like simple tips, ones that make you say ah-ha...

Megan DiMaria
Apr 23, 20191 min read
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