Category: Other Cool Blogs

Magical Words: Endings

Erin Penn Leave a comment

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

When does a story end? At the climax, when all is revealed? Not usually.

Readers want cuddle time after a climax. Just a little longer between the covers, one more chapter to tie up lose ends, whisper sweet nothings, and leave everyone fully satisfied. If the happening is one of a series, book the next date by hinting what the next story is about before letting the reader leave the covers.

Kalayna Price gives two examples of poor endings in a Magical Word post from April 26, 2012 entitled “Endings”; in one, the story was bam-slam-thank-you-ma’am, and the other keep going-and-going long after the happy climax feeling was done. The comment section continues the endings discussion with various published writers giving examples from their own experience, definitely worth hanging around for breakfast to meet the whole family.

Again the URL is: http://www.magicalwords.net/kalayna-price/on-writing-endings/

Other Cool Blogs: The NaNoWriMo Blog – Cat Advice

Erin Penn Leave a comment

Photo by Bogdan Farca on Unsplash

NaNoWriMo is looming its 50K word head again. Last year I Frankensteined it, stitching together several projects including getting this blog prepared for 2024. It has held me in good stead not to worry about creating things on the regular and I’ve been able to concentrate on longer works throughout the year.

One of the cool things about the NaNoWriMo team is their constant support of writing throughout the year at their blog “The NaNoWriMo Blog”. (okay, not the most original name, but it is easy to remember.)

A great post is “Write Meow! 4 Writing Tips Cats Teach Us” written by Megan Jenkins posted October 30, 2023. (https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/732643913309011968/write-meow-4-writing-tips-cats-teach-us?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NaNo%2023%20Engagement%201&utm_content=NaNo%2023%20Engagement%201+CID_caf0cfb6a1acca00b6c60815d98e4e90&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Write%20Meow%204%20Writing%20Tips%20Cats%20Teach%20Us)

  1. Have a Routine – Cats love their routines for foods and pets, plan your writing around them.
  2. Take Breaks – If you need a nap, grab it. Don’t stare at the laser pointer all day.
  3. Prioritize Meals – Don’t make your cat drop a mouse on your keyboard because you forget to feed yourself when typing. Eat regularly and it gives you the energy to hunt and peck at the keyboard.
  4. Focus on the Present – Write now, edit later. Take advantage of that scrolling memory and look at the novel with fresh eyes for the second draft, after the first draft is done.

Your cat wishes you luck, though they will never admit it.