#5onFri

Two New Posts at DIY MFA

/ saraletourneau / Leave a comment

DiyMFA

Yes. I’ve been busy on the DIY MFA front lately. 😉

First, in my latest regular article at DIY MFA, I take a break from literary themes to talk about something that many (if not all) writers deal with: perfectionism. By that, I don’t mean the warped belief that everything you write will be perfect. This post goes much deeper, pointing out other beliefs and habits associated with perfectionism and how they harm your writing more than help it. Most importantly, I share how my most recent struggle with perfectionism prompted me to re-read parts of Gabriela Pereira’s DIY MFA book – and what I discovered that inspired me to write this article.

Continue reading →

New at DIY MFA: #5onFri on Rocking Your Next Open Mic Reading

/ saraletourneau / 2 Comments

DiyMFA

I’m so excited to have a new #5onFri post for DIY MFA! It’s been a while since the last time I did one, and these are always fun to write. 🙂

In this #5onFri post, which went live last week, I share five tips for writers on “performing” at an open mic night or public reading. So if you’re unsure of how to prepare for the event or feeling nervous right before going onstage, these suggestions will help you feel calmer and more confident regardless of whether you’re planning to read poetry, flash fiction, or a short essay.

Continue reading →

A Double Dose of New DIY MFA Articles, Including One on the Iceland Writers Retreat

/ saraletourneau / 5 Comments

DiyMFA

Yup, that’s right! I have not one, but TWO new DIY MFA articles to share with you this week! 😉

First, My Experience with and Tips on “Honoring Your Reality”

For my regularly scheduled column, I’m taking a break from literary themes to talk about “honoring your reality.” It’s a term that DIY MFA founder Gabriela Pereira uses to describe the need for maintaining a balance between one’s writing life and real-life responsibilities. But as many writers know, achieving this balance is easier said than done. So this week, I’m sharing my experience with the challenges of honoring one’s reality, as well as some tips that both reinforce and expand on Gabriela’s teachings.

Continue reading →

New DIY MFA Articles, Plus Facebook and GoFundMe Updates

/ saraletourneau / 8 Comments

DiyMFA

(NOTE: Due to this week’s DIY MFA post, the weekly blog post will go live on Thursday, December 15th.)

Do you believe in destiny, or a higher power conspiring to help make things happen? Or are you convinced that our lives are what they are because of our choices? Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether fate or free will plays the greater role. This mystery, however, hasn’t prevented writers from exploring it through story.

Today I’m tackling “fate versus free will” for my Theme: A Story’s Soul column at DIY MFA. Using Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus as examples, we’ll discover the common elements that both books use to examine this enigmatic theme and brainstorm ideas of how we can write our own stories on an age-old debate. (See the link after the jump.) Continue reading →

New at DIY MFA: #5onFri – Five Reasons to Do Market Research for Your WIP

/ saraletourneau / 2 Comments

DiyMFA

I’ve mentioned before that I’m doing a “market research” project in conjunction with my WIP The Keeper’s Curse. It’s mostly to gain a better understanding of how TKC compares (either similarly or differently) to other fantasy stories with fairy characters. Today, I’m joining DIY MFA’s #5onFri series again to share some of the benefits of doing a “market research” project for your work. And believe it or not, those benefits go beyond the big-picture perspective you’ll develop.

Click here to read “#5onFri: Five Reasons to Do Market Research for Your WIP.”

Have you done a market research project or something similar for one of your WIPs? Do you think you might try one in the future? Feel free to share your comments here as well as at DIY MFA.

New at DIY MFA: #5onFri – Five Reasons Why Writers Should Give Coloring Books a Try

/ saraletourneau / 17 Comments

DiyMFA

Some of you might remember that I’ve fallen in love with adult coloring books. Yesterday I declared that love again at DIY MFA, as part of their weekly #5onFri series. But I’m not simply gushing about the adult coloring book trend. Instead, I offer five reasons why writers should try this hobby for themselves, from using it as a means to de-stress or meditate, to making it a creative solution for breaking through writer’s block.

Click here to read “#5onFri: Five Reasons Why Writers Should Give Coloring Books a Try.”

Are you also a fan of coloring? What are some of your favorite adult coloring books? Do you engage in other forms of art like painting, dancing, composing / playing music, etc.?

New at DIY MFA: #5onFri – Five Reasons Why Writer’s Digest Conference 2015 Was Awesome

/ saraletourneau / 5 Comments

DiyMFA

I wasn’t expecting Part 2 of my coverage of the 2015 Writer’s Digest Conference to post until next week at DIY MFA. But since it was ready, they snuck it in today instead. 😉

Today’s article is also part of DIY MFA’s weekly #5onFri series. As the title says, I offer five reasons why WDC 2015 was awesome – and why I’m already considering going back for 2016.

Click here to read “#5onFri: Five Reasons Why Writer’s Digest Conference 2015 Was Awesome.”

The third and final installment of my WDC coverage should be live next Thursday. (Yes, I’ve done a lot of article-writing the past couple weeks!)

Did you also attend this year’s Writer’s Digest Conference? What were some of your favorite aspects of the event? Which sessions did you attend?

New at DIY MFA: #5onFri – Five World-Building Tips for Writers of All Genres

/ saraletourneau / Leave a comment

DiyMFA

Today I’m joining DIY MFA for their weekly series #5onFri (Five on Friday)! It’s where writers list five of something – writing tips, recommended novels, etc. – that fall under a specific theme and have something to do with reading or writing.

For my #5onFri, I decided to share five world-building tips for writers of all genres. If you really think about it, world-building isn’t just for speculative fiction writers. Historical fiction, contemporaries, even memoirs need to immerse their readers in settings and cultures that are vivid and believable. Also, the five tips range from details writer should keep in mind while writing or developing a story’s world, to organization and (*gulp*) sharing your ideas with others to ensure your world works.

Click here to read “#5onFri: Five World-Building Tips for Writers of All Genres.”

Do you have other world-building tips to share? Leave a comment below or on the article at DIY MFA, or Tweet your tip using the hashtag #5onFri.