There are a lot of ways to be a writer and a lot of ways to approach the craft of writing. Some people like to pic the process of telling a story apart, examining character arcs and scene beats with a microscope until they give up their secrets. Other people just go about telling a…
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You Are Not Your Tools
A few months ago I was watching Brandon Sanderson talk about writing on Youtube. In one of the lectures, he discusses the idea of Architects and Gardener. It wasn’t a new concept for me. In the Nanowrimo community, the delineations is better known as Planner and Pantsers. Whatever names you assign the camps, the ideas…
Things That Will Kill You
Metaphorically, of course. Sorry about that little bit of melodrama. I’d like to talk about the things that will metaphorically kill you and, very non-metaphorically, kill your writing. Things like fear, regret, and, in my personal case at the moment, guilt. Because, as Frank Herbert put it, “fear is the mind-killer.” Writers are some super…
National Novel Writing Month Is Upon Us
As some of you are no doubt aware, November is National Novel Writing Month, often shortened to Nanowrimo. Elkid did a blog post about her Nanowrimo adventures already, but seeing as we’re actually in the thick of it now, I thought I would revisit the subject. Nanowrimo is a pretty big deal in the writing…
The World Needs Your Story
It’s been a heck of a year. It’s hard not to notice when the world is—both figuratively and literally—on fire. Whether you’ve had a loved one in the path of a massive hurricane. Or you watched in horror at the violence in Las Vegas. Or struggled with a more personal trauma. There is really no…
Guest Post: 100 Thousand Poets For Change
I was, unfortunately, not able to attend the recent Bonk! installment, which participated in the world wide program 100 Thousand Poets for Change. Luckily, our lovely Elkid was able to attend and she’s graciously agreed to share her experience with us. Your Friendly neighborhood storyteller, Emily Vakos 100T I have always loved reading poetry. Prose…
Racine, I’m falling for you.
Autumn is upon us. That means pumpkin spice everything, warm sweaters, and a brand new Racine Arts Council’s Writer-in-Residence. My name’s Emily and it’s really nice to meet you. I was born in Racine and I’ve lived here most of my life. Growing up, my parents taught me two lessons over and over again that…
Think Well – No Plot? No Problem!
The first thing I quickly realized about NaNoWriMo was that it would not be easy. As soon as I announced I was going to do it, the members of my writers’ groups chimed in. Some people stated the obvious – it is nearly impossible to write a book in 30 days. Others mentioned that they…
Think Well – NaNoWriMo
Summer was grand but I must admit, I have always loved Autumn. I am especially looking forward to November. Although I enjoy all the time spent with friends and family around various feasts at various tables, that’s not what I am most excited about. You see, last year I did something different with my November….
Think Well – TED Talks
Ok, so maybe you’re not the kind of person who likes learning via online courses. Sitting in front of a computer and reading page after page after page of information and then taking a quiz on the topic doesn’t have to be your cup of tea. Not to mention the sixteen week long commitment it…
ArtRoot Writer-In-Residence 