Category: writing tips

Creative Writing, We Wanted to be Writers book, writing tips

What Do Writer’s Want to Know?

Mona Alvarado Frazier

Several months have transpired since I’ve posted anything about creative writing or the topic of writing.

It’s probably because I’ve been concentrating on revision after revision on my own manuscripts, or maybe I’m subconsciously trying to avoid oversaturating my brain.  

Here’s the big But,

But sometimes there is some darn good (great) advice out there in the blog world about writing that I feel I must share, for to not share seems miserly, covetous. 

One such website is We Wanted To Be Writers, a blog by two Iowa MFA graduates and teachers  who often feature other writer’s who also received their MFA’s at the famed Iowa Writer’s Workshop in the mid-70’s. They include John Irving, Jane Smiley, T.C. Boyle, Allan Gurganus, Sandra Cisneros, Jayne Anne Phillips, Joe Haldeman, Jennie Fields, and many others. 


These bloggers put together a book, We Wanted to be Writers, which is a series of fascinating, funny, not so nice conversations among nearly 30 writers-students and their teachers-who were at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. It’s a bargain for $1.99 on Kindle. (This is just a personal recommendation, I don’t receive any compensation).

Recently I’ve enjoyed reading their six part series on “What Do Writer’s Really Want to Know?” Here are some gems I selected for your reading pleasure, but read the entire post. There is so much useable, funny, creative, and inspiring information on their blog:

  1. What We Wish We’d Known. “…the economics of publishing and why it is the typical novel has a shelf life somewhat briefer than that of live-culture yogurt.”
  2. The Stars and The Moon. “…When I was a student at the Workshop, a star system ruled. I treasure memories of hearing John Cheever, John Updike, and Kurt Vonnegut read from their works… I would’ve recommended adding a moon system…(it) could never supplant the star system, and shouldn’t. The Workshop is a place for big dreams. It’s where bright literary lights share drinks and conversation with aspirants … the Workshop moon system would enable students to meet and network with alumni…Luminaries here might not be nearly so bright as the stars. But they’ve survived, and have something useful to share.”
  3. Shelter In Place. “… two or perhaps three years one spends in a writers’ workshop are or should be a refuge from the ‘real world.’ The ‘real world’ and thinking too much about it are just a distraction from what’s important, which is of course one’s ‘art.’ Get the art right, and the real world will come knocking on your door.”
  4. The Four Things You Need to Know Now. “I thought a writer needed validation in the real world: calluses, salty talk, hardhat with your name on it. Standing up to my neck in a pool of bubbling crude… I began to re-think that proposition.”
  5. On Shark Agents, Writer Candy and Momentum. “I wish I’d known that it doesn’t matter when you publish your first book, it’s that you manage somehow to do it.There is no biological clock associated with giving birth to your first novel…”
  6. Slouching Toward Tomorrow Land. “…Do I dare disturb the universe?
    That’s it. That’s the question I face every time I sit down to write. That’s what I wish I’d known.”
    And with that last quote go out and dare to disturb the universe with your writing, art, poetry, photography, baking, crafting or whatever it is that stirs your creativity this weekend. 

Books, France, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Renni Brown, self editing, Shelly Lowenkopf, Toni Lopopolo, writer routines, Writing, Writing Resources, writing tips

Tips for an Incredible Writing Weekend

Mona Alvarado Frazier

It is the evening of my departure for my month long adventure to France. Some anticipatory butterflies are fluttering through my stomach. 

My bags and travel apps are packed. (And yes, I do need to recharge the battery). 

The kids have heard the Riot Act in a couple of different versions. Everything seems like a go, but I’m sure once I’m on the airplane I’ll remember one or two things that are sitting on my dresser at home and not in my suitcase. 

I know I’ll miss my family, my boyfriend, my dog Chip, (but not KiKi the cat- the feeling is mutual). What I didn’t expect was something that crossed my mind a few minutes ago. 

I’m really going to miss my writing ritual. 

The one where I roll out of bed, stretch, push the power button on my laptop,before I go into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee and return to my swivel chair with a big mug of steaming coffee, a dash of half and half, and my peanut butter toast. For two hours, sometimes more, I type, refill the coffee cup, and blow crumbs off my desk.

When my friend Amada and I arrive in Upper Normandy on the 1st of September we will have to  establish new writing routines. Luckily both of us are early morning writers and both of us like quiet. 

During this Labor Day weekend, I’m sure you will want to squeeze in some time to put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. With that thought I’d like to share some tips for your writing weekend. 

1-These 10 gems for first time novelists to think about are from former St. Martin’s Press editor Toni Lopopolo, Agent in her “Bare Knuckle Writing Workshops.” One of the most important tip is: 

Mistake # 9: Poor Self Editing Skills: FTNs haven’t learned to self edit by editing other writers’ fiction, or by reading the recommended books. 

Sure, you can pay for a professional edit (anywhere from $4 a page to a flat rate of $ 2000) or you can learn how to self edit, make your story stronger, and save the $$$ for a trip abroad or a new roof.

2-A terrific book, Self Editing for Fiction Writers (How to Edit Yourself into Print) by Renni Browne and Dave King (Editors at William Morrow and Writer’s Digest) is a must for a writer. I belong to a writing group, a writing club, and recently the Goodreads pick for our online writer’s group, Wordsmith Studio. This book has been a must read for all three groups. 

The topics which first time novelists find hard to grasp and usually lack in their stories are:

  •  three dimensional characters, 
  • maintaining point of view, 
  • interior monologue, and 
  • voice

This handy reference book delves into subjects such as showing and telling in a way as to engage the readers’ emotions. Each of the 12 Chapters has a checklist so that you can apply the concepts to your work. 

If you’re not at the self editing stage yet, here are some amazing questions and tips about story, from an instructor I’ve had the privilege to meet. 

3-Shelley Lowenkopf is an editor, writer, and Professor Emeritus at USC. In his Seven Things You Write A Story to Discover you are asked to consider the who, what, where, why and more of story. The question, “Why should we care?” is most important.

“We tend to care about stories dramatizing experiences that squeeze characters in ways similar to the squeezes and pressures we have experienced.  We care if someone we identify with is vulnerable.” 

 If the reader doesn’t care, they will stop reading. End of story. 

4-For those of you who are in the throes of revision here’s a handy guide that explains editing marks-you know those scribbles all over your work in progress or manuscript.  

Author’s Success Platform

I’m going to skip tip # 5 for another day, another post, because this one is longer than I anticipated. IF you have a 5th tip let us know in the comment section. We really want to know.


Now, I must get back to the suitcase on the floor and cast out some unlucky clothes. 

And remember, before you start your Writer’s Weekend please:


 Au Revoir Mon Ami’s.