The written word holds a power both bewitching and dread. The right words can topple kingdoms, grant immortality—even change the course of the world. Join me in The Laboratory as I delve into the foundations and principles of writing, from developing ideas and crafting an authorial voice to caring for yourself and building your community as a writer. New episodes are released every other Wednesday. Pull up a chair and settle in amongst the bubbling brews and frothing phials of the writer’s craft.
How to Write Captivating Sentences
A writer might be describing the best thing since sliced bread, but if their sentences are dull, readers aren’t likely to stay engaged. The way the words sit on the page and on the tips of our tongue can enchant a reader.
Though some kinds of writing are meant to be perfunctory, there is room for art in many instances.
Inspiration & Idea Generation
A writer may have a wealth of ideas, struggling to even keep pace with the thoughts as they occur. Other times, as if by a magical curse, the wellspring runs dry. Getting stuck when you’re trying to start the next big project can leave you feeling helpless and unmotivated. But there are ways to treat this malady.
Should I Hire an Editor?
At some point you might ask yourself: should I hire an editor? Though there are a few factors to consider, hiring an editor is an investment in your project that helps ready it for publication. So where do you start?
Interruptions & Inclusions & Compounds—Oh My: A Who’s Who of Dashes & Hyphens
This week we’re zooming in on an oft-overlooked but important element of punctuation & grammar: dashes and hyphens.
Evoking Setting & Mood
Atmosphere can make or break the immersion that writers strive to achieve, both in fiction and nonfiction. Let’s learn how to craft an effective one in this week’s blog.
Outlines: The Road Map for Your Work
Starting with the structure of your work can not only strengthen your writing, it can also save you lots of time and effort down the road. But where should you organize all of your ideas? This week we’ll be looking into writing outlines.
Resources for Writers & Editors
I provide writing guidance based on my own experience and training here in the Laboratory, but there are plenty of incredible resources out there for writers and editors. The list below contains some of those I’ve personally used and recommend. I will continue to update this list over time.
Writing Fundamentals: Understanding Rules
The last post in our series (for now!) exploring the fundamentals of writing is all about rules, why it is important to understand them and how you can bend them for your own use.
Writing Fundamentals: Know Thyself; Know Thine Audience
This week’s topic is style, the elusive face of writing.
Writing Fundamentals: Structure for Longevity
In the first of a series on the fundamentals of writing, we’ll be looking at building writing structures that stand against the sands of time.
Welcome to Elixir Editorial
Along with editing, I’ve been known to spin a yarn or two about the literary arts. Join me in the laboratory on Wednesdays for a deep dive on the principles of writing.