Tag Archives: writing life
What’s in a (Character) Name?
I’m trying to find a name to fit my romantic comedy’s female main character. Right now I have a placement name of Lexi Dylan, but it doesn’t fit her well, and I think it may be a little too cliché. To me, the names of my characters are just as important as any other aspect …
My Favorite Writing Resources
Hi Friends, I’m in the middle of writing my romantic comedy rough draft (17,000 words so far) and working on the 2nd draft my YA supernatural fairy tale. As I write, I’m refreshing on all things that go into constructing a novel. Along with a couple of handwritten signs that are tacked to my bulletin …
When Did You Start Writing?
When Did You Start Writing? I think this probably the most common question that a writer is asked. And I think my answer is pretty common, too. I’ve been writing since I can remember – But I didn’t think much about the fact, that I liked to write, until the 7th grade. After completing the …
Move Over Story #1
Hi friends, A few weeks ago, wham! an idea for a romantic comedy hit me, and I couldn’t ignore it. I had to start writing it right then. There are several reasons why this is odd for me: I usually have to be actively searching for a story idea – especially my supernatural fairy tales …
The Retelling of a Fairy Tale (Dorlana Style)
Hi Friends, I’ve been using fairy tales to inspire my paranormal short stories and novels for many years. Instead of a straight retelling of the classic tales, I love using them as a stimulus by borrowing elements, capturing the mood, or using them as a backstory, etc., to write contemporary interpretations. Sometimes I even use …
Character and Story Exercises
Just last week my writer friend mentioned how she writes side short stories using characters from her work-in-progress. Later on, I told her about how I tried to change my setting (I actually wanted to turn my contemporary YA into a western) and had written a new first chapter and had also brainstormed with my …
When One Door Closes…
My recent situation has my thinking in sayings like: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” and “Never say Never.” You see, I’ve been working on a novel (a supernatural mystery) and was just about ready to write the rough draft – when I was stopped in my tracks by a pinched nerve in my neck …
Dorlana Vann - Author 