Answers

I Love Most the Things I Cannot Write

October 21, 2011

Are you a happy writer?  Or, have you bought into the idea that to be a true artist you have to suffer?
…or are you somewhere in between?
I ask because I probably fall about three-quarters of the way toward suffering.  Where my writing lives is frustration.
Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not depressed all of the time, [...]

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Character Development 101: Hamartia

July 20, 2011

Despite making the statement on another blog today, about using complex vocabulary or showy language, I present to you the concept of Hamartia.
This word, a staple of the ancient Greek poets, refers to “fatal flaws” in characters.  Flaws that take the form of an error in judgement or a fatal mistake.  In this case fatal [...]

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Is Writing A Zero-Sum Endeavor?

July 20, 2011

In a footrace there can be only one “First Place” winner, and while we might call that a “zero-sum” game, it arguably is not because others can benefit from participating, even if they don’t take the top prize.
Better, think of a zero-sum game (or situation) like this.  After the sinking of a boat two people [...]

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Od Zar: Op-Ed #37 – Is Reality a Greased Pig?

July 19, 2011

Od Zar, here, and I can’t believe I just wrote that.
No, wait.  I’ve got time backwards, I’m just now writing it.  Righting it.  Right?  Wasn’t it the Queen of Hearts who quipped, “…it’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.”
Where was I?  Oh, right.  I can’t believe I just wrote that.
I also can’t [...]

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When The Words Won’t Come, Write Anyway

July 18, 2011

I don’t believe in writers’ block.  I don’t.
I believe in laziness.  I believe in being uninspired.  I believe in being tired, put out, upset, sick, disillusioned and bored.
I believe all those things exist.  I do not believe in writer’s block.
It is too easy an excuse when the schedule comes around to writing time and you [...]

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Od Zar: Op-Ed #35 – Time For Some Perspective?

July 16, 2011

Od Zar, here.
Have you ever noticed what people complain about in this country?
I guess it’s all a mater of perspective.
We complain because a certain sandwich is no longer available at our favorite “Fast Food” place.  We complain because we have to select English when we call somewhere for phone support of an expensive item we [...]

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Novel vs. Novella vs. Short Story – Is it All a Numbers Game?

July 16, 2011

Uphill Writing reader and frequent commenter, Loreen Lee asked that I get into the  differences between a Novel, a Novella, and a Short Story.
Good question, Loreen.  And a tough one.
My understanding has always been that it was just a matter of length, and an extensive search has not disavowed me of this notion.
However, let’s take [...]

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An Act of Will; An Act of Won’t

April 16, 2011

An Act of Will; An Act of Won’t
(or)
How do you know if you have something to say or not, if you don’t try?
 
If I hadn’t been through it myself so often, I would probably scoff at the idea of not writing because “I have nothing to say”.
Clearly there is always something to say, even if [...]

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“Repetition”, “Repetition”, “__________ “, or What to Leave Out

April 14, 2011

As I was preparing dinner last night, with the TV on for company, I overheard a court scene in a movie (sorry, I don’t know the name of the film).
 
In the time it took for me to get everything going on the stove, four people took the stand.  And what stood out?  Not their testimony, [...]

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Why Uphill? – 10 Reasons

April 9, 2011

The question has come to me, more than once, and in more than one form.
Why Uphill Writing?  Isn’t the name for this blog a bit… erm, negative?  Do I really want to give the idea that writing is a constant struggle?
So, I’ve thought a bit more about it, and here are ten reasons I’ve come [...]

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