Winter is the perfect time to get comfy with your favorite hot beverage and write. For both fiction and nonfiction writers, it may be hard to get started. Here are some winter and holiday season writing prompts to warm your writing brain up!

Fiction/Character Writing

Christmas Tree Farm 

Write your characters traveling to a Christmas tree farm to pick out a tree. 

Snowman

Write your characters building a snowman. How do they make it? Do they cooperate well? What does the snowman look like?

Gifts

Describe the process a character goes through picking out a gift for their friend or significant other.

Scenery

Use sensory language to describe a snowy winter weather scene. Think about the five senses – sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. 

Grinch

Relay a short story that explains why a character doesn’t enjoy the holiday season.

Nonfiction/Personal Writing

Preserve a memory

Describe your favorite holiday of the past in detail.

Christmas in the Snow… or Sun?

What does the holiday season look like where you live? Write a paragraph about what weather you associate with the holidays.

Food

Describe your favorite holiday food.

Meaning

What do the holidays mean to you?

Pets

Describe holiday memories with your pets.

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Listen to on screen dialogue

Watch a TV show or movie, and pay attention to how the characters speak to each other. Use what you observed to help you write dialogue in the future. While writing for the screen and writing for a novel are different, paying attention to how people talk can help get a feel for how you want your own characters to speak.

Study plays

Plays are almost all dialogue, and they can be read on their own for literary merit. Read a play that could be similar in genre to the novel you are writing in order to pick up on rhythm and flow of dialogue. 

Establish characters’ personality

If you have a good handle on how your characters are, it will be easier to write how they talk. Pre-establish your characters’ traits before you write your book or before you write a scene. Use character charts like this one here to figure out who’s who in your story. 

Don’t overthink it

The nature of the novel means that most of the story is not told in dialogue. Therefore, dialogue is an added bonus, an extra spice. Don’t overthink it, and go with what feels most natural to you and your characters. Additionally, don’t force dialogue into a scene where it doesn’t need to be. 

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Learn where to put sensory details

“Imagery” and “sensory details” are phrases you will come across when searching for ways to add more descriptive language to your writing. But where and when should you use these? And what are they?

Using imagery and sensory details basically means to appeal to a reader’s five senses – sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing. Through adjectives and literary devices, you can use these words to put a more vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Not every detail needs to be explained – reading is all about the imagination, after all – but the reader should have occasional details to grab onto. 

Consider the following sentence: 

He picked up the seashell. 

One can imagine the character doing this action. Maybe it doesn’t matter what the seashell looks like. If it does matter, a description like the following might better serve the story:

He picked up the small white seashell.

A few adjectives is all you need to better establish details for the reader.

Don’t be afraid of adverbs

It is a common refrain in creative writing circles to avoid adverbs at all cost. This comes from the reality that overuse of adverbs (words to describe verbs) can cause stilted and repetitive writing. Most adverbs end with -ly, but not all of them. Adverbs that don’t end in -ly are sometimes called flat adverbs. 

The truth is that sometimes, adverbs are valuable and necessary. There is nothing wrong with saying a character spoke softly or stomped thunderously from time to time. Likewise, a well-placed adverb that doesn’t end in -ly can elevate a scene. Time order words (ex. first, ever, before, always) are often adverbs and are important descriptors. Many adverbs to describe location are also adverbs (ex.  above, about, upstairs, up).

Use descriptive dialogue tags

 A dialogue tag encloses dialogue and signals to the reader who is speaking. Typically, these are used simply as “she said” or “said Daniel.” But you also have the option to use dialogue tags to create description and movement in a scene. 

Example:

Daniel stood up from his chair. “We have to go now.”

By putting this description at the beginning in a new line, the reader now knows what the character is doing as they’re speaking. 

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When it comes to literary fiction, there are several ways one can tell a story. The most popular forms of fiction are the short story, novella, and novel. What is the difference between them and what is best for your story?

Short story

A short story is between 1,500 words and 7,500 words long,  or about 3- 30 typed pages long.  There are no hard definitions, but an individual publication may have their own definition.

Given its short length, short stories are often simple plots who follow one or two characters or situations. Short stories usually explore one theme or idea rather than sprawling worlds. Famous short stories include The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.

Pros to short stories:

-Deep exploration into single topic

-Easy to distribute

Cons to short stories:

-Must have collection to publish in book form

Novella

A novella is a short novel. The word is borrowed from Italian for “short story.” Longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, novellas are typically from 15,000 to 40,000 words in length. 

With more real estate, a story can be more complex. Famous novellas include Animal Farm by George Orwell, Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck, and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. 

Pros to novellas:

-Middle ground between short and long

-Allows for experimentation

Cons to novellas:

-Can be too avant garde

Novel

A novel is the most typical fiction publication. A novel is generally between 70,000 to 120,000 words in length. Such a length allows for more varied themes, characters, and multiple plot points than a novella, and much more than a short story. 

Pros to novels:

-More depth to plot

-Space for worldbuilding

Cons to novels: 

-Longer novels are less marketable than shorter ones

-More expensive to publish, more expensive to buy

Novels are the most common avenue for fiction. Plan out your story in advance to see what length it could possibly be.

Ready to publish? Let us know!

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It is time to relax under the sun, but it’s certainly not the time to stop writing. Here are some summer themed writing prompts to get the inspiration flowing.

Observe and describe  – nature, a street scene, & more

Sit outside, observe, and write down what  you see. This may sound odd, but practicing your skills with descriptive language will make you a better writer. Use your five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) and remember to show rather than tell.

Observe and describe a street scene, a walk in the park, or anything else that comes to mind. 

Summer camp

Imagine your characters as participants at summer camp. What do they do? How do they act? Write a scene of your characters in such a situation.

Beach day

Take your characters on a trip to the beach!

Write outdoors

Continue your current writing project, but write outdoors if able. Use a laptop or even good old-fashioned pen and paper as you get out of the office and into a new environment! You will be surprised how new surroundings inspire creativity. 

Writing Streak

Have you ever used the language learning app Duolingo? Many use the app religiously, both to learn a new language and to maintain their streak on the app. Why not take this same principle to writing – start and maintain a streak of consecutive days you’ve written something! Keep track of the days with a calendar, and see if you can make it the whole summer.

(Or, see if one of these productivity apps will work for you.) 

Writing Coach

And as always – we are here to help you meet your writing goals! Get inspired by a Dorrance writing coach this summer. Learn more here.

Happy summer, and happy writing!

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Every writer has experienced writer’s block – a period of time when it seems like the creative juices just aren’t flowing. Luckily, writer’s block doesn’t have to last forever. There are things you can do to get back in a creative mindset. Here are some ways to fuel your creativity for your next writing session and beyond.

Healthy habits

It might get old to hear, but healthy habits do go a long way. Healthy habits help you be more creative. Why? Because creativity comes from your brain! Treating your brain well will make your brain happy and productive.

Get adequate sleep, eat your vegetables, and do a quick workout to awaken the artist within. 

Create other things

Creativity breeds creativity. If you have hit a wall with writing, engage in another creative practice for fun. Drawing, painting, photography, playing music are all things that can help unlock a spark. Engaging in other art may relate to what you are writing, or it can be completely different. 

Community

The image of a writer as someone who spends all their time alone has never been entirely accurate. Writers have found community with each other and found inspiration from spending time with others since the advent of writing! Spend some time with people who energize you in order to get out of your creative rut. Whether it is friends, family, or another community group, inspiration for writing can come from being around others. 

Move to another part

If you have come into a part of your book that is stumping you, write a different chapter or go back to work on previous parts of the book. 

Take a short break

Sometimes writer’s block can be solved with a short break. Just like taking a break from studying when you were in school, taking a break during writing and coming back can make things click into place. Walk away from the desk for a half hour if you are stuck. 

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Imagine: you have an idea for a novel or short story. You have mapped out your plot, and sketched out the world your characters will be living in. You have all of the details, except for one important thing – your characters’ names! If you are stumped trying to think of character names, here are some ways you can go about naming fictional characters. 

Name meaning

You can name your characters by choosing names that align with their character traits. Most first names and last names have a meaning that has carried on throughout time. Use the internet to search for name meanings. You can look up the meanings of names you already know, or search for names that mean a certain thing. Behind the Name is a leading site for first name meaning, as well as Babynames.com. Behind the Name also has a section dedicated to last name (or surname) meanings. 

Personal connections

Honor family members or friends by naming characters after real life loved ones. However, use first names only – it’s unwise to give out personal identifiers for a story the public will read. 

Random generator

You may have no ideas for a character name, or be completely fine with letting a random name generator decide for you. An online random name generator can be a great solution when you want to come up with something totally fresh and new for your characters’ names. Random Name Generator will generate first and last names according to parameters you set. The random name generator from Behind The Name will generate first names, last names, and middle names in a wide variety of categories. 

Ethnicity and Nationality

Similar to searching by name meanings, you can search names by country of origin and ethnic group to find ones that fit your characters. 

Historical Context/Age

If you have a good idea about what time period your characters are living in, you can look through a list of popular baby names for the year they were born. For example, if your character is 50 years old, search for popular names from 1973. 

Maybe your story takes place in a different time period than the present. There are also records of names that were popular in bygone historical eras. You can find an Ancient Roman name, or perhaps a  medieval name for your story set in the Middle Ages (500-1500)! Behind the Name remains the most comprehensive site for these types of searches. 

Bottom line

At the end of the day, character names are important to your fictional novel. They help create meaning and create the character’s identity. They help brand your book as uniquely yours. And who knows – someday they may even become famous!

The post How to Name Characters for Short Stories and Novels appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Every year on George Washington’s birthday, the United States celebrates Presidents Day. Presidents Day is a federal holiday to honor the leaders of America’s highest office.

Over the 234 years since the Constitution established the office of President, many interesting men have provided wisdom to Americans. Here are some quotes from past presidents to inspire you as you write your book! 

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt

“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” ―Barack Obama

“Be patient and calm; no one can catch a fish with anger.” —Herbert Hoover

“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” ―John Quincy Adams

“The finest steel has to go through the hottest fire.” ―Richard M. Nixon

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” ―Calvin Coolidge

“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” ―Ronald Reagan

“Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.” —Gerald R. Ford

“You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” ―Jimmy Carter

(Source)

The post Quotes from U.S. Presidents for Writers appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

A new year is upon us, and with it comes new opportunities. If you’re looking to finally write that project you’ve been thinking about for ages – whether it’s a book of poetry, a novel, or your life story – just know that it is possible!

Here are some practical tips to make the New Year’s resolution of writing a book into a reality. 

1.) Start small

Every finished book was once a small idea. When you get the idea for a book, it can be intimidating. The blank Microsoft Word document or blank notebook page can stare back at you and make your mind go blank. If that’s the case, no need to worry – start smaller. Write down your ideas on a sticky note, or in the notes of your phone. They don’t even have to be complete sentences. Just getting your ideas down will help you get started.

2.) Ask for help

Writing a book is a lot of work. A lot of things need to be done for it to happen. A lot of things need to go right for it to happen. Often, you might think you are in it alone. But you might be surprised how many people are in your corner rooting for you to succeed. Ask for help when appropriate from your friends and loved ones. You may not be able to ask your support system for specific writing help, but they can offer support and encouragement in your writing.

For help with writing, ask us! Dorrance’s Writing Coach program has helped hundreds of writers realize their goals. A Dorrance Writing Coach will be your guide for finishing your book at whatever stage in the process, and can help as little or as much as you need. Learn more about our Writing Coach program here.

3.) Go with your gut

When writing a book, there can be pressure to do what is popular or what may get the most notoriety. However, listening to this pressure usually causes more problems than solutions. Write the book that is inside you, rather than the one the world may want to hear right now. As the old adage goes – “write what you know.” Not only will your project be more authentic, but you will be more trustworthy to readers. When in doubt, go with your gut!

4.) Take risks

At the same time, one mustn’t be afraid to take risks. Whether it’s the type of story you write, the structure of the story, or your personal style – it is worth it to be bold. If you’re wondering whether to take a risk with an aspect of your project, here is your sign to do so. Fortune favors the bold.

5.) Pat yourself on the back

Whether you are at the beginning of your writing journey or have reached the end of writing your book, give yourself a pat on the back every now and then. Stick to your goals, but don’t beat yourself up if you fall short. Celebrate your accomplishments at every step of the way as you complete your book. You will feel better about yourself and your project if you treat yourself kindly throughout the process!

No matter what stage of the writing process you’re in, we want to hear from you! Contact us.

The post New Year, New Book: 5 Tips To Help You Write More in 2023 appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Susan talked to us about what it was like writing and illustrating the book, as well as some of her other favorite books!

Name:

Susan J. Logan

Hometown:

Vancouver, Washington 

Book Title:

The Christmas Ghost Boy

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

An exciting children’s story with a sweet Christmas message. 

What made you want to write your children’s book?

I had originally made it up orally for my grandchildren and they liked it. I love to write and draw so I proceeded to make it into a book. 

How long did it take you to write your book?

Well, it’s a process. A day to write it out, rewriting over several years on occasion, while working on other stories as well. Then at the urging of my daughter I drew the illustrations and completed it. I had no idea what to do next, so I had it copyrighted. Then I heard from Dorrance!

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Stop and wait for the muse to return.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

The building of the suspense, and creating the children’s confidence in what they were discovering. Also, getting the wording at the ending just right. Why? Well, I guess when you feel you’ve nailed it it’s exhilarating!

What was it like completing your illustrations?

I was my own illustrator. I love to draw and I had the pictures in my mind. I worked hard on getting the children’s expressions to coordinate and enhance the storyline. I also found it challenging to make the ghost boy and his merging with his ‘toys’ into the sunshine. Also, since the story happens over several days I had to be accurate (e.g. matching the kids clothes to the right day.)

If you were stuck on a desert island and had to take just one person from each category who would they be and why?

–A friend or family member

My husband, Kim, because he would be the best companion. (AND if anyone could figure out how to get us rescued it would be him!)

–One fictional character

Natasha from War and Peace because she is a joyful caring soul and yet fascinating by being from such a different place and time.

–One famous person, alive or deceased

Wallace Stegnor. It would be the perfect opportunity for a writing workshop with the mentor I would be most thrilled to have. 

Besides writing, what are some of your hobbies?

Reading, drawing,  cooking, gardening,  swimming, socializing.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance?

They were great! Especially the personal assistants assigned to me along the process, starting with the encouraging, warm and wise Brenda. Thank you!

What are your favorite books of all time?

War and Peace

Angle of Repose

Gone with the Wind

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

The Bible 

As far as children’s books, there are so so many but these definitely are in my top picks:

The Maggie B – by Irene Haas

Pierre – by Maurice Sendak

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble – by William Stieg

Madeline- by Ludwig Bemelmans

When We Were very Young  – by A.A. Milne

If you were to give advice to someone who wanted to write a children’s book, what would it be?

The best advice I’ve ever received came from a concert pianist and composer. She told me “It’s more about the process than the result. Just keep working at it.”

To add to that I would say: Formulas are for chemists. Be true to your own voice and ideas. Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities. 

What do you hope your readers will take from this book?

An exciting story, and an enhanced understanding of the joy of giving.

Thank you, Susan!

You can purchase The Christmas Ghost Boy at the Dorrance Bookstore – use code JINGLE for 25% off!

Have a Christmas children’s tale you’d like to publish? Contact us!

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