Today is not a good day to spout politics. Unless you want to be engulfed in a Twitter storm and wake up trollers from their mid-afternoon slumber. On the other hand, there might be ‘reader runoff’ into your Lifestyle of the Destitute and Obscure blog.
Tag Archives: Writing
Writers Horoscope-July 11-Day 15
Approach a writing snafu from a different angle.
Try shredding that bungled first chapter instead of your customary wad-and-toss.
If it helps, add a few choice expletives as the pages are ‘repurposed’.
Writers Horoscope-July 10-Day 14
You are trustworthy and people value your opinion.
So tread lightly when discussing your fellow writer’s dystopian Victorian western.
Appreciate its vivid descriptions and move on.
***
To thank you for visiting, here is a freebie Suspense Concept List PDF.
Nope, no email address required.
It is 11 pages of words and phrases related to, in this case, the idea of suspense. I create and use these to boost my writing and idea-generation output and am going to be offering this and others in my upcoming digital dollar store. [Hey, it’s a working title. ;->]
[Actually, I think this blog’s readers could generate stories in any number of genres from these lists.]
Here is just a sample of what’s included:
- conspiracy theory
- courage
- creativity
- curiosity (inquisitiveness)
- democracy
- denial
- detente
- deterrent
- devotion to a cause
- diplomatic immunity
- disastrous outcome
- disinformation
- disloyalty
- hiding place
- keyhole
- listening post
- locked door
- locked file
- locked room
- give a tip (information)
- go through customs
- go through the trash
- grant asylum
- hear through the wall
- hide (conceal)
- hold an envelope up to the light
- infiltrate
- inform
- interrogate
- investigate
- keep a secret
- keep a straight face
- keep up appearances
- leak information
- lie (tell a lie)
- lie low
- look over your shoulder
- look through a keyhole
- make a drop
- make a mistake
- misrepresent
- observe
- overthrow the government
- plant evidence
- protect a source
Writers Horoscope-July 8-Day 12
Today is a good news-bad news day!
Remember that coffee-splattered agent from Day 8?
- Good news: She’ll be back in the latte line and will recognize you!
- Bad news: She’ll plop that first draft onto your table as she exits.
- Good news: You might ‘run into’ her again. [Order a grande.]
- Good news: You might have just gained a new character to send to their demise during your otherwise plodding middle chapters.
Twitter Gems July 3-7
Some of the greatest writers of the past century on how to handle criticism https://t.co/DvCwfSOue4
A self-publishing primer from @JaneFriedman is among this week’s Finds for Writers: wp.me/p4x0h8-bKZ.
You have to resign yourself to wasting lots of trees before you write anything really good. J.K. ROWLING #amwriting #writing #writinglife
“When an idea comes, spend silent time with it…” https://t.co/WjESlYRIkz
You re-learn how to write a book every time you write a book. bit.ly/2sFlNUQ
Writers Horoscope–Day 10

Today, you will meet the enemy … and it is you. Enough with the writer’s block drivel.
It’s time to outpace your daily Facebook, email, and Twitter output with your novel’s next chapter.
Writers Horoscope–Day 9
Aim for truth and honesty in your writing. But that scathing expose of graft and corruption in a neighborhood lemonade stand will hardly move the needle. Shoot higher next time.
Writers Horoscope–Day 8
The stars are in alignment.
That person who is wearing your spilled latte is a desperate literary agent.
She notices you’re using page 18 of your manuscript to assist in the clean-up.
Capitalize! Offer up pages 19-40. [Your opening needed work anyway.]
Writers Horoscope–Day 7
Face your fears.
Your latest work can’t be that bad.
And letting the toner cartridge run dry won’t make the words go away.
Either print it out or invest in a better coping mechanism.
Writers Horoscope–Day 6

Today, make your characters come alive.
Within reason, of course. The neighbors are starting to talk.