Learning to Handle Harsh Criticism
Posted by David Duhr in 
Discussion questions: What is the harshest external criticism of your writing you’ve ever received, either in public or in private? What was your external reaction, and what was your internal response? How did you move on from it? Does it still bother you? read more
Looking for New (and Long!) Reads
Discussion question: What have you been reading lately? What book(s) have you been recommending to friends and family? What’s your favorite long (say 400+ pages) classic? read more
Mistreating Yourself
Discussion question: Are you prone to emotional and/or physical malaise as a result of writing? Does it affect you during your writing sessions, after, or both? How do you mitigate these effects, and how do you recover from them? Do you recall a particularly difficult example? Let us know in the comments. read more
Mistreating Your Characters
Discussion questions: What is the worst thing you’ve ever done to one of your fictional characters? What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen another writer do to one of his/her fictional characters? And why do you think conflict and obstacles are so important in fiction? read more
Let’s Talk About Our Writing Fears
Discussion questions: As a writer, what are your biggest fears? Where do they come from; how do they manifest; how do you combat them? Do you try to hide from them, or do you face them? Can fear be used as a tool? Do you have anyone to share your fears with? Let us know in the comments. read more
Inserting Yourself into a Book
Discussion question: If you could become a character from any work of fiction and live his or her life, who would you choose and why? Or, if you prefer, if you could insert yourself, as yourself, into a novel or a short story and live in that world, what novel/story would you choose and why? Let us know in the comments. read more
Do You Have a Writer Friend to Turn To?
Discussion question: When you’re full of anxious fears and frustrations about your writing, do you have a writing friend to turn to? Someone you can text or email or call who can offer not only encouragement and support but real understanding? Tell us about him or her in the comments. What does a typical conversation look like? What do you get out of it, and what does he/she get out of it?
If you don’t have a writer friend to turn to, do you want one? Or do you feel better off going it alone?
Your Pre-Writing Rituals
Discussion questions: Do you have any rituals, whether mental or physical, to get yourself into the writing headspace? Or to keep yourself there, once begun? If so, how do they help? Let us know in the comments. read more
On Annoying Trends in Linearity and POV
Discussion questions: As a reader, do you enjoy fiction with non-linear narratives and/or multiple points of view? And/or novels that switch between first- and third-person perspective? Why or why not? As a writer, how do you choose your approach regarding linearity and perspective? Have you ever written non-linear fiction, or a story or novel that employs multiple points of view? What do you see as the benefits and the potential pitfalls? Let us know in the comments. read more
Packing an Emotional Punch in Your Writing
Discussion questions: Who are some writers whose work elicits a strong emotional response from you? Is that a feeling you enjoy? What types of emotions, if any, do you hope for when you read a book? And as a writer, do you aim to elicit similar emotional responses from your readers? Let us know in the comments. read more
Quarter Pole Check-in
Discussion questions: One-fourth of the way through 2019, are you one-fourth of the way (or further) toward hitting your 2019 writing and reading goals? If so, congrats! If not, why not? Have your goals changed? Has your approach changed? What do you hope for from the rest of 2019? Share your progress with us in the comments below. read more
Drinking While Writing
Discussion questions: What’s your take on “Write drunk, edit sober”? Do you drink or use drugs while writing? If so, how does it influence your work, your process, or your approach? If you don’t, why don’t you? If you used to drink while writing, why did you stop? Let us know in the comments. Use a fake name if you’d prefer. read more
- We tried, though. Some more than others... https://t.co/4JI9skzfso
- RT @YakBabies: This week: should books stir feelings? Also checking in on #MiloAndOtis. https://t.co/fjpPA6oPxh