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Home Apostrophe Writing

Category Archive

Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Writing”

What’s in a Name?

Nancy Flynn April 16, 2009Apostrophe Blog Archive, Writing

Characterization is the lifeblood of fiction for many readers—and writers, too. Oh, I’m seduced by the twists and turns of plot as much as the next person. But time and again, what I’m most drawn to when reading is the effect that events have on the story’s characters…

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Character creationMardi GrasThe Fiction Dictionary

Holding the Axe to Make the Handle

Nancy Flynn March 15, 2009Apostrophe Blog Archive, Writing

Sometimes it is by going back (often thanks to new translations) to study a timeless and ancient text that I find the most timely and relevant wisdom about the writing craft. During a recent bookshelf purge, I unearthed not one but two copies of Lu Chi’s Wen Fu (The Art of Writing). One is a slim brown…

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Chien HsuanIdes of MarchLu ChiSam HamillThe Art of WritingWen Fu

Writing, the Water of Life

Nancy Flynn March 6, 2009Apostrophe Blog Archive, Reading, Writing

I confess: I’ve never read any fiction by Stephen King. I’ve seen at least one of his stories that was made into a movie—“Stand By Me”—and parts of “Carrie” way back when—I’m remembering the high school prom night scene in particular and Sissy Spacek not having the best of times….

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CarrieOn WritingSissy SpacekStand By MeStephen King

So Much Writing, So Little Time…

Nancy Flynn February 28, 2009Apostrophe Blog Archive, Wisdom, Writing

There are so many avenues to what one can easily call “failure” in this so-called writing life. A while back, I rearranged many aspects of my life so I could more easily prostrate myself on the altar of the written word, figuring that was a surefire way to get the work done…

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Allen GinsbergBecoming a WriterDorothea BrandeHenry JamesMichael VenturaMind Writing Slogans

Late Blooming, Serious

Nancy Flynn January 9, 2009Apostrophe Blog Archive, Wisdom, Writing

A few years ago, a graduate school friend who now teaches in a low-residency writing program was working on a panel about “Late Bloomers” for the Associated Writing Program’s…

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Late BloomersNight-blooming cereusRaymond Carver

Discreet Charms for the Creative Bourgeoisie*

Nancy Flynn December 20, 2008Apostrophe Blog Archive, Wisdom, Writing

I have been cleaning the house for days. When I first started, there was a real need, the fact that we would be hosting our belated housewarming on Sunday afternoon. But once that was over—and the post-party cleanup had taken place as well—I found that I simply kept going…

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BourgeoisieGustave FlaubertHermann HesseNancy Drew

Forgetting the Words, Finding the Words

Nancy Flynn December 2, 2008Apostrophe Blog Archive, Wisdom, Writing

The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish. When the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas…

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Chuang TzufishtrapLed Zeppelin

Politics in the English Language

Nancy Flynn November 2, 2008Apostrophe Blog Archive, Writing

Lately, it seems like everyone I know is on edge. All the conversations I’ve had for the past month—whether back and forth in e-mail, on the phone, or chitchat over dinner—devolve into the same sentiment: We can’t wait until it’s midnight on November 4th. Election Day in the United States…

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Apostrophe BlogGretchen RubinOrwellSarah Palin

Buzzin’ Fly

Nancy Flynn July 1, 2008Poetry, Stream of Consciousness Archive, Writing

It is a gorgeous summer morning. I have the screen door open so the cats can mosey in and out. Of course, this allows the flies to visit as well. One particularly large and obnoxious one is flitting about the dining room as I type. This too shall pass….

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Bartlett's QuotationsBob DylanDenise Levertov

Two Days from Summer…Spring!

Nancy Flynn June 19, 2008Stream of Consciousness Archive, Wisdom, Writing

It’s finally warm enough today to have the front door and windows open, the fresh air rushing blissfully in. The cats are outside lazing in sun and stalking arrogant, taunting squirrels. …

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TattoosWisdomwriting
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