For Women's History Month in 2023, I decided to compile a list of great women writers from around the world and throughout the centuries. Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo was only 14 years old when she started competing in poetry slams. Born to Dominican immigrant parents, she grew up in Harlem, New York. She went on … Continue reading These Women Write (Part One)
Books
Punctuation & Grammar: Your Most Elegant Tools
In her book, “Steering the Craft,” Ursula Le Guin says, “If you aren’t interested in punctuation, or are afraid of it, you’re missing out on some of the most beautiful, elegant tools a writer has to work with.” Left: Steering the Craft, by Ursula K. Le Guin. Right: The author herself. Source: Wikipedia. I really … Continue reading Punctuation & Grammar: Your Most Elegant Tools
Constraint Breeds Creativity
Imagine that someone has put you into a cardboard box, and then told you to get yourself out of it. If the top of the box is open, how do you get out? Easy. You stand up and climb out. But what if the box is duct-taped shut, and you're literally boxed in on all … Continue reading Constraint Breeds Creativity
Character and Plot in Brandon Sanderson’s “The Way of Kings”
***Warning: This review contains spoilers.*** I really dilly-dallied my way into reading The Way of Kings. It's hard to put my finger on why. I know I love Brandon Sanderson. I owned my copy for almost a year before I finally started reading it, and I had half a dozen friends telling me that I … Continue reading Character and Plot in Brandon Sanderson’s “The Way of Kings”
Everywhere You Look: Wonders in Hawaii, Wonders at Home
There’s nothing like going to an exotic island in the middle of the ocean to shake up your worldview and give you some good writing inspiration. Before venturing to the Rainbow State, whenever I thought of Hawaii, I pictured white sandy beaches, white hot sun, and lots of tourists. Those things are definitely there too, … Continue reading Everywhere You Look: Wonders in Hawaii, Wonders at Home
Submarine Musings, or The Library Welcomes Me Home
I recently had an idea for a story that would take place on a submarine. Problem is, I know nothing about submarines. And it’s been a long time since I’ve had to do so much research for something would be so fundamental for the story I was writing. I mean, if the entire story takes … Continue reading Submarine Musings, or The Library Welcomes Me Home
Making Time to “Read a Lot:” The First Part of Becoming a Writer
In his inspiring craft book, On Writing, Stephen King gives this famous advice: "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut." If you're a writer, then chances are that … Continue reading Making Time to “Read a Lot:” The First Part of Becoming a Writer
The Best Craft Books that Every Writer Should Read
If you're a writer who isn't quite ready to jump into the wide world of publishing and networking, then maybe the best place for you to start as a writer is to read craft books. (In the context of writing, a craft book, for anyone who doesn't know, is a book about the writing craft - … Continue reading The Best Craft Books that Every Writer Should Read
Jordan Radford Writes 