Twitter Tuesday~Workshop Special

Last week I didn't have the chance to get on Twitter so I have a special post for you. These quotes are from editor Noa Wheeler (Henry Holt Books) during her talk about writer's block at the Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop.

"Write something, anything, and go from there." 
"Tease out the unusual imbedded in the common." 
"The reaction between the writer and the subject is what's new."
"Set a time limit for yourself and just go" Use twitter, she says. 
"Build it first, and then you can make it better." On editing.
"Switch your writing location. Get up and go somewhere else!"
"By taking little day trips, side roads, you're figuring out who your characters are." On writing exercises.
"The outcome can be drastically different based on the smallest thing." On details. 
"Every writer asks different questions and gives different answer, which is why there is room for so many stories in the world." 
"There is a sense of poetry, of rythm, to any good writing." Physical movement, exercise, can help you get back into that rythm she says. 
"Alwsays read your work out loud because sometimes you'll hear something different while your listening passively instead of writing actively." 
"You're so close to your story that sometimes you can't see something really, really obvious." On having critique partners or beta readers. 
"If you have to name the emotion, you're not feeling it."

Each of those are so inspiring to me that I might just have to print this out and hang it next to my writing space. Noa was a dynamic, funny speaker. If you ever get the chance to attend a workshop, retreat, or conference with her, do it!

Comments

  1. Yeah; they are inspiring. I haven't started on twitter. I rarely even log onto FB, and between blogger and my own writing, I'm soooo busy.

    I'm glad you posted these for me :)

    .......dhole

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  2. Definitely inspiring, Heather. sounds like you got a lot of out of your workshop! Wish I could've been there.

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  3. 'Build it first and then you can make it better' is my mantra--words on the page, THEN edit! And 'If you have to name the emotion, you're not feeling it' is my focus this week. There's so much other good advice in tehre too!

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  4. Yes to so much of this. In particular, the CPs and beta comment is resonating with me today. They are so very, very important.

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  5. Love it! Thanks for posting, Heather!

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  6. Great job Heather! Thanks for relaying all of these quotes. Some good advice in there. :)

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  7. Wow, Heather, these tips are so great. I especially love the one about the reaction btwn the writer and the subject being what's new. Just reading that gave me a technique for avoiding clichés. It's one of those things you know that you know, if you think about it, but to have a shorthand phrase in mind (like Noa's statement) makes it an accessible tool to use. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Donna, I'm not a big fan of FB either, but I love Twitter because it seems to be where all the literary people hang out. Still, blogs are my favorite place to be too. :)

    Carol, I wish you could have been too! It was excellent.

    Amie, mine too! I'm a huge believer in getting that first draft written before editing.

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  9. Christa, they really are. My CP's are worth their weight in gold.

    L.J., you're welcome!

    Tina, you're welcome! There is a ton of stuff in here, for sure!

    Linda, me too! I'm so glad you got so much out of it.

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  10. Thanks for sharing Heather, I always love the info that comes home from a writers conference! :)

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  11. I love the part about why there are so many stories in the world - so true!! Oh, and the emotion part - if you have to say it, you're not feeling it! Great stuff!!
    I've missed Writer's Road chats lately - so much going on in our summer. And next week we'll be in China, so.... I'll miss again! :( Hope you're enjoying your summer! Love the new background on here... so peaceful. Can't wait to see the cover art for your book and hear more about where you're at with everything... Hugs.

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  12. Lindsey, you're very welcome! Conferences are such a wealth of info aren't they?!

    Krissi, it was great info! No problem about missing the chats, life must come first. :) I can't wait to share my cover art with you! Soon...

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  13. These are awesome--thanks so much Heather! :)

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

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  14. Heather, these are absolutely fantastic! I love them. You know, writing someplace different really does work. Atmosphere. But all of these are great! Thank you so much!!!

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  15. Angela, you're welcome!

    Karlene, thank you. It definitely does! Change in atmosphere can do so much.

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