Category Archives: writing

Do’s and Don’ts From Dorlana’s Writing Desk

Over the years I’ve developed habits while writing, some good and some bad. Here are a few of my personal do’s and don’ts when writing/editing. Do email myself a copy of the draft I’m working on everyday. Not only does this save a file in case my computer crashes (I’ve lost 50 pages before) it …

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Writer’s Playlist

Here’s a fun list of songs for all you “Crazy” writers out there. It’s difficult to know when to stop editing but eventually you have to “Let it Go.” Just remember “The Waiting is the Hardest Part.” And “It’s a Long Way to the top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)“. Whatever you do, “Don’t Stop …

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Fairy Tale Inspired Poem: Ugly

Ugly By Dorlana Vann Mask of various natures I have worn. It’s different than the day I was born. A senseless mistake was made on my part. Now I exist in shadows and the dark. My castle walls hide my grief and despair. Servants, my companions, also prepare. I find beauty in all except me. …

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Fairy Tale Short Story Inspired by “Jorinda and Joringel”

Quiet on the Nightingale Fairy Tale inspired (Jorinda and Joringel) short story from Dorlana’s collection Supernatural Fairy Tales Before climbing aboard the Nightingale, a 60-foot yacht, Jake listened for a second to make sure its owner, Richard King, slept. From the cockpit, Jake climbed the stairs to the upper aft deck, and with little effort, he opened the glass …

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Two Years of my Writing Journey

 It seems crazy but it’s been a little over two years since  I started this blog.  My first blog was aimed mostly towards using fairy tales as inspiration for stories, but when I started this blog I wanted it to be more about my adventures in writing as a whole – which doesn’t always include fairy …

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Fairy Tale Inspired Poem

Can you guess the fairy tale? Destiny By Dorlana Vann A bequeathed curse placed upon a kingdom. A century of thorns and valiant deaths. A beautiful rose dreams of love’s freedom. Without a mere glimpse he pursues his quest. Fate leads the way and parts the tangled briar. Gently he walks through a city at …

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I Forgot to “Save the Cat”

After getting comments back on my work-in-progress from a critique partner, it was clear that she hated my main character to the core. Of course, I defended my reasons as to why I had given her a Scrooge personality. For one, she is actually the antagonist in the first book so I had to stay true …

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