Writing 
For thoughts on writing and the creative process.
National Novel Writing Month 2012
Have you started writing your novel? It’s that time of year when writers take up the challenge to write a novel as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). From November 1 until 11:59:59 on November 30, all budding writers are encouraged to tackle writing a novel (50,000 words minimum or approximately 175 pages). With… Read More ›
The Ogham Society
It finally has a name. Creating the world in which your characters reside is an ongoing challenge. What places and organizations are a part of their world? Are they real or imagined? Ever since reading Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour (see post here), I’ve wanted to create a psychical research society for my own series. … Read More ›
Writing Challenge 10
A mysterious photo appears … Where has it come from? What is it a photograph of? When was it taken? We’ve all seen them at one time or another. A sepia-toned photograph of an earlier time that begs us to question what life was truly like then. Some of us are lucky to have pictures… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 9
September’s here, and it’s time for The Poisoned Martini’s newest Writing Challenge. As a means to inspire continued writing, The Poisoned Martini is featuring an image to spur creativity. The idea is to write a scene, a short story, a chapter, or maybe something more. Last month’s regal picture was a view of the front facade of Kykuit, residence… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 8
The first of August brings The Poisoned Martini’s newest Writing Challenge. As a means to inspire continued writing, The Poisoned Martini is featuring an image on the first of each month to spur creativity. The idea is to write a scene, a short story, a chapter, or maybe something more. Last month’s picture of the woods… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 7
It’s the first of July, and that means it’s time for a new writing challenge! Last month’s image might possibly be recognizable to some viewers. It was a often seen locale in a popular series from 1978 to 1991, and more recently in a reboot that began in June 2012. Did you guess Dallas? The… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 6
June 1st brings a new writing challenge. Were you inspired by last month’s belle rose? The photo was taken on the grounds of a former monastery in Cluny, France. So what did the flower inspire you to write? Was it a mother’s day piece? Leave a comment. For last month’s image, see post here. As a… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 5
May 1st marks the beginning of National Short Story Month and time for a new writing challenge. Were you inspired by last month’s museum piece? The photo was taken inside a museum in the French town of Chalon-sur-Saône. The museum, free and open to the public, contained a wide variety of objects related to the region,… Read More ›
Writing Challenge 4
It’s the first of the month, and that means it’s time for a new writing challenge. Were you inspired by last month’s petit chat? What did you write? Leave a comment if you wish. So what might your little cat been looking at? This French cat, likely a stray, was one I spotted in Cluny. … Read More ›
Two Books & The Beginning
First lines are vital for attracting readers. Drawing in your audience and involving them in the story you’re spinning is of the utmost importance and even more so in the first five pages. There’s even a book for that! Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile. … Read More ›
The Poisoned Martini 