Random Thoughts About Reading & Death
Posted by David Duhr in 
Discussion questions: Are there any writers whose bibliographies intimidate you, and why? Are there any writers whose entire bibliographies you’ve read?
How much of your reading consists of rereading? What do you get out of rereading books?
What percentage of your reading would you say comes from a sense of obligation, a “should,” rather than desire? Where do you think that “should” comes from? read more
You & Your Library
Discussion questions: What is your current relationship with libraries? What is your past experience with libraries? Do you have a favorite library memory?
How far are you from a library? What is the best feature of your local/nearest library? The worst? read more
Halfway to 2020: Writing Goals Check-In
Discussion questions: Halfway to 2020, are you halfway (or more?) toward hitting your 2019 writing and reading goals? If so, congrats! If not, what obstacles are you facing? 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
Learning to Handle Harsh Criticism
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
- RT @YakBabies: This week, lots of #comics and even some #manga! https://t.co/c9MtxL7054
- Fernando Flores is the guest judge for this year’s Texas Observer story contest, open to subs now. Prize: $1,000 &… https://t.co/VsbXalHvLg