Poetry: Understanding Rhythm and Meter

Many people have a difficult time understanding and using rhythm and meter in poetry. I was certainly one of them.  For this reason, when I took a seminar in teaching writing for my master's degree, I included activities to tackle them in my lesson plans. If you find yourself needing extra help, or even a refresher, on rhythm and meter, check out the video below.

Do you try to work in rhythm and meter in your poetry? If you usually stick to free verse, give it a try sometime! It really helps to solidify an understanding of the concepts.

Six Grammar Mistakes That Drive Me Crazy

Everyone's heard of the self-proclaimed "Grammar Nazis". While I cannot claim to feel my teeth grind every time I see or hear a grammar error (heck, I know my own writing is not perfect), there are a few writing mistakes that drive me nuts. I've seen some of these in self-published works, and they were common in my undergraduate writing courses.

1. Their, There, and They're. 
• Their indicates possession.  
• He is their dog.
• There can indicate a place (real or abstract) or indicate the existence of something with the verb "be".   
• Please don't leave your shoes there.  
•  There are some apples on the table.  
• There is no one here. 
• They're is a contraction meaning they are and can only be used as a subject and verb.  
•  They're coming for dinner tonight.  
• Don't let me forget they're meeting us at the movies.
2. Commas. It seems like when people are in doubt, they use a comma.  Please use commas in the following instances and avoid them otherwise.
•  To separate items in a series.
• Jan, Max, and Phillip went to the game.
• Before a conjunction to connect two independent clauses.
• I drove to her house, but she wasn't there.
• To separate introductory clauses.
• When he got to work, he realized he forgot to lock his doors.
• NOTE: flipping the clauses would eliminate the need for a comma: "He realized he forgot to lock his doors when he got to work".
• After introductory words.
• Yes, I will pick her up at eight.
•  See Purdue Online Writing Lab for further instructions and examples. Others will thank you!
3. Then and Than. 
• Then is associated with time.   
• We ate dinner, then we saw a movie.
• Than provides comparison.   
• She is taller than me. 
4. Its and It's.
• It's is a contraction meaning it is.   
• It's my birthday.   
• Its indicates possession. 
• Its fur sure looks dirty.
5.  Punctuation and Quotation Marks.
• Commas and periods go inside quotation marks unless they are followed by citations.
• Colons and semi-colons go outside quotation marks.
• Question marks and exclamations are more tricky.  If they apply to the quotation only, they go inside the quotation marks.  If they apply to the whole sentence, they go outside the quotation marks.  I know this is one I always have to look up for clarification.
• See Purdue Online Writing Lab for detailed information on quotation marks in general.
6.  The Apostrophe.
• Just please review these guidelines for using apostrophes to create plurals or possessives. 
• Or check out this comic: How To Use An Apostrophe. 

If you're looking for a little humor on the topic, visit The Oatmeal's "Ten Words You Need to Stop Misspelling."

At times I need reminders for commas and quotations, so it's important to have resource handy in case you just don't know proper use. I highly recommend the Purdue Online Writing Lab for any questions relating to citation and grammar. Visit for a quick review whenever you are in doubt or just need a refresher.

Are there any common mistakes you see others making?  What mistakes drive you nuts?

13 Quotes On Writing You'll Want to Remember

When I'm in a writing funk, I find it helpful to remember all of the important and interesting things successful writers said about writing. These experienced creative minds understand the ups and downs of getting ideas onto paper. They understand disappointment and frustration. They completely get all of the obstacles beginning writers face, and it makes me feel better to I remember there are people out there who succeeded when all I want to do is bang my head against the wall.

Right now I am in a creative writing slump, so I made a visit to Google. Here are the results of my search. If you're a writer, you're not going to want to miss these. They'll give you hope. They'll guide you. They'll remind you of the most important thing: just keep writing.

But then your writing flows and you know: "I've got this."

You know what that means. JUST WRITE!

Take a chance! Write with abandon! Try something new!

Just keep writing, just keep writing...

Nope, it's not only you.

Your writing is a part of you.

This is something some writers forget.

Remember why you write.

Be more creative than that.

Show. Don't tell.

It's the verb that's often hardest.

What makes the better impact? What really paints the picture?

A writer's life.

10 Common Literary Devices (With Examples)

There are certain literary devices that I use often in my writing because they are simple and seem to make it flow. I never bothered to intentionally use them when I wrote in the past, but now I find that they just add that extra something. A literary device has to do with the sound, repetition, meaning, and description of words or phrases. Used wisely, these devices can really enhance your work and create a deeper level of meaning that readers will enjoy decoding. Try some of these in your next poem or story.

(Mini Magnum by hobvias sudoneighm via CC)

1. Alliteration. This is one of the easiest go-to devices to use. Alliteration involves the quick repetition of the first letters, and therefore the first sounds, of words. 
• The white witch wanted to write a new spell.
• New aunt Anita aimed to avoid annoying her tired sister.
2. Personification. Giving inanimate objects and other phenomena human traits.
• The leaves danced in the wind, twirling round and round before bowing out and resting on the cold ground.
3. Simile. Comparing two unrelated things to creating new understanding and meaning. They are marked by the use of "like," "as,"or "such as."
• She ran like the wind.
• His eyes were as blue as the sky.
4. Foreshadowing. Words, phrases, or events that hint or suggest to the reader what's going to happen in the story.
• In To Kill a Mockingbird, finding the presents in the oak tree foreshadows the truth about Boo Radley.
• Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" foreshadows the narrator's actions from the start of the story: I can't say how the idea first entered my brain, but once it was there, it haunted me day and night. There wasn't any reason for it. I liked the old man.
5.  Satire. Using humor, wit, or sarcasm to expose human vice or folly.
• In television, the creators of South Park have built their success on satire.
• My favorite example is Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal."
6. Symbolism. Using objects or action to mean something more than what appears on the surface.
• The dawn of a new day often is used to symbolize a new beginning.
• The albatross in in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" symbolizes a burden: Ah ! well a-day ! what evil looks / Had I from old and young ! / Instead of the cross, the Albatross / About my neck was hung
• In daily life, people often associate colors with ideas. Black with death. Red with love. White with purity or peace.
7. Onomatopoeia. Words whose sound mimics natural sounds or sounds of an object. These words help bring the reader into the scene by working on the senses.
• Bang! Flutter. Buzzzzz! Hum.
• The birds tweet in chipper chatter outside the window.
• A loud bang jarred me from sleep.
8. Metaphor. A device that asserts that one object is another, bringing new meaning to the original subject for a fresh understanding.
• A common metaphor: it's raining cats and dogs.
• From Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet": But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
• Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket. - George Orwell
9. Hyperbole. Exaggerating a statement or idea to emphasize a point or emotion.
• If I take another step, my feet will fall off.
• She's so thin she could thread a needle.
• If his teeth were any whiter, I'd be blind.
10.  Oxymoron. A device that puts two contradictory ideas together to create complex meaning. (See top photo)
• Their relationship was an open secret.
• The sight of the living dead shuffling below sent a blazing chill down her spine.
• It's hard to explain that comforting pain to those who don't understand.

What are some of your favorite literary devices? Do you have a favorite example of one of these? Please share in the comments!

Ten Excuses I Use to Avoid Writing

The past few months have been very busy and writing has completely taken a back seat in my life. I always find an excuse to avoid writing. When I took a weekend trip to the lake, I read a book instead of working on my novel. Right now? I'm writing a blog post instead of becoming reacquainted with my characters. I am writing a blog post about avoiding writing instead of working on my novel. It makes little sense, but here's the thing: writing is hard. Writing takes time and effort and concentration. It's frustrating, infuriating, painstaking. It means taking a part of yourself and opening it to the world. Writers will find all sorts of reasons to avoid writing because it is all of the above.

At this point I could give you a single excuse for why I failed to revisit my fictional world tonight, but it wouldn't be truthful. There are always many reasons that writers such as myself avoid writing. They are often related yet separate issues that we use as justification for avoiding what we enjoy most...at least, when we finally sit down and do it.

The following are ten of the biggest excuses I use to justify to myself why I avoid writing.

 (This is a pretty good one, I think)

 __________________________________________

10. Work

I've worked all day and I just want to vegetate when I get home. This is one of my biggest excuses. Often my days are 9 to 12 hours long, with very few (if any) breaks. By the time I get home, I am fried and want to do nothing. Sure, I could write a few paragraphs or edit a previous chapter, but I've worked all day. That's a good excuse, right?

For those lucky enough to write for a living, this may not be a huge problem. For others, a regular 9 to 5 is necessary. After grinding the day away in a cubicle or on one's feet, work is the perfect, easy excuse.

9. Chores

I need to wash clothes. Make dinner. Walk the dog. Clean the house. Insert any daily or weekly chore and it can be used to avoid writing. Of course they're good reasons!  They have to be done.

The laundry must be done, no one wants a filthy house, and the family needs attention. After working all day or week, coming home to a laundry list of chores is an easy excuse to avoid writing.

8. Commitments

I promised _______ I would ________. Dinner and a movie with a spouse. After work cocktails with coworkers. Visiting family. Chauffeuring the kids. I can't turn every invitation down, can I? Sure, I don't really want to, but if I don't, I won't have a good excuse.

People in general tend to over commit without making time to take care of themselves. Writers are no different. Perhaps they're teaching a night class or freelancing for extra money. Sometimes it's time to care care of your own selfish wants and needs.

7. Distractions

Let me just finish this book, then I can clear my head and give my full attention. My favorite TV show is on tonight. Or (my own biggest) during the fall: it's college football season and my Saturdays are all about the pigskin.

It's easy to find a distraction when you finally sit down. They help us relax and entertain us. Everyone needs to relieve stress, but there's a difference between letting loose to decompress and seeking distractions to avoid the task at hand.

6. Slight of hand

I need to do some research. I'll just Google a few things. Search this database. Take a few notes. Oh, wait! I have an e-mail. Who's messaging me on Facebook? Back to the task at hand. Ugh, I'm not finding what I need. Haha. Look at that LOLCat.

Initial intentions are good, but you know well and good that you're not in the mood. You start out giving a little effort to really research what you need to make details come to life until there is some simple excuse to avoid the task all together. 

5. Uncertainty

I don't know if I like where this is going. I need to take a break and come back with a fresh mind. Do I really want to do that with this character? This isn't how I pictured it. Would readers even enjoy this? I'm not good enough. Could I handle negative comments if this stinks? Maybe I should stop. Now.

It's so easy to second guess everything you write. I don't think any writer could say that they don't desire to write a bestseller, to be successful. Yes, I write for myself because I have a story rattling around in my brain that needs to be told. It needs to be inked on paper for my sanity. On the other hand, I want everything I write to be good. To entertain. To be something I am proud of. The key is to not let that uncertainty hold you back.

4. Time

It's too late. If I start now, I'll never really get started. Or I'll be up all night writing. Or late for work. I still need to do this, this, and this, so if I write now, I'll never get it all done. The Walking Dead comes on in an hour. I don't have enough time to unwind after work. If I skip it tonight, I can go to bed early. I'll just make sure I write tomorrow.

Who ever has all the time they need or want in a day? Time always appears to fly by and leave us wondering where it all went. There is time to write if you make time to write.

3. Physical exhaustion

I'm too tired. Exhausted. I don't want to even move.

This excuse is that simple. After working all day or catching up on chores and commitments on the weekends, I am often just flat tired. I forget that a tired brain is more creative.

2. Mental exhaustion

Please be quiet. No, I don't want to chit chat about my day. I'll break my phone if it doesn't stop ringing. I need quiet. A few minutes to rest my brain. Some time to myself. Yes, a few hours all alone.

I call this an introvert's exhaustion. I am a very introverted person who is in a line of work that requires constant interaction and communication with other people. My phone's always ringing. People are in and out of my office every ten minutes. I get no quiet during those 9 to 12 hour work days unless I am just completely lucky or find a place to be a hermit...until my phone rings again. When I get home, I want nothing to do with human interaction until I've had a while to recharge. I am without a doubt that introvert who feels mental and physical exhaustion after too much social interaction. I could use this excuse every day of my life, but I know I need to channel that "me" time into my writing.

1. Writer's Block

I'm stuck. I don't know where to go from here. That was completely ridiculous [delete]. Why am I even trying? I know I've seen that cursor blink for an hour now.

I know many people may not agree with me on this, but I find I use writer's block as an excuse. When I have "writer's block" and sit staring blankly at my laptop screen, I know that it is because I just don't want to write. I'm not in the mood or in the right frame of mind.

__________________________________________

Writing is difficult. I have my own high standards to meet while hoping I am creating a work that others will appreciate and enjoy. I know that if I would just get started, it would flow just like it always does, but I don't want to start. I'm tired. I've worked all day. Aubie needs a bath. There's a game on. My brain's fried. I think I'll go to bed...I promise to write for a couple hours tomorrow.

The Importance of Place and Setting

When writing a novel or short story, it can be easy to forget that the reader does not see the setting showing clearly in the your mind. Building the setting and putting the reader in that moment and place takes careful consideration. Speaking as both a reader and writer, tossing someone into a scene that they cannot picture or place in the timeline of the novel is like dropping someone in the ocean and telling them to swim to the nearest island. But where are they? How do they find a sense of direction?

Readers need guidance and one of the ways to drive their fear, desire, anger, or heartbreak is through setting. Here is an imperfect example from the novel I am currently writing:

Ben's grieved howl responded in horror. As his brother dropped to his hands and knees and emptied his starved stomach onto the hardwood floor, Mike bit down on his tongue and held his white fists in the air before punching through the drywall to his right. A large photo of the smiling family watched over the motionless bodies. Their father lay face down on the couch, a gaping wound to his side emptying every pint of blood onto the now slick floor. Betty Sue was motionless beneath him, a large oozing bite to her left arm while her blue eyes stared toward the ceiling. Her arms hugged John's back, their only comfort found in one another those final moments.

Mike leaned his forehead against the wall as sobs overtook his body. Between wails, his chest heaved for breaths, and his cries sounded foreign to his own ears. He squeezed his eyes closed tightly, unable to view the room that held so many memories. The quilt their mother sewed years ago hung on the couch, now stained a deep red. The coffee table their father built for their fortieth anniversary. Family chronicles captured in photographs beamed from surfaces and hanging frames. Pain struck like bolts of lightning from his chest as he tried to block out the image of their death seared to his lids.

Yes, your characters drive your story. Yes, their joys, disappointments, successes, and pains pull your reader in. Just don't forget: the setting is just as important. A young woman passes by a coffee shop, remembering that first day she met her lost love. An elderly man leaves the home he shared for fifty years with his wife. A mother stands in her son's room the day after he leaves the state for college. All of these places hold significance.

Use the setting! Put your reader in that place, in that moment, and let them see, let them feel. Increase the tension. Kick the drama up a notch. Provide context. Appeal to the senses. Your reader will thank you.

Top 5 Drawbacks to Self-Publishing

Self-publishing has its pros and cons.  Many authors turn to self-publishing instead of going through the process of finding a traditional publisher that will accept their work.  While it is beneficial for authors who want their work published but have been denied by traditional publishing, there are also many difficulties that come with successfully self-publishing a work of your own.  From editing to marketing, authors have to polish and promote their own work without the help of a publisher and sometimes they don't realize the true task ahead of them. Think about each of these before you jump into self-publishing.

1. Stigma. While self-publishing has become more common with the help of services such as Lulu and CreateSpace, there is still a stigma associated with being a self-published author.  The first thought many people have is that you were not good enough to be published traditionally.  While in some cases that may be true, I've come across many self-published authors whose work was more interesting, unique, and talented than some traditionally published authors. Slowly this stigma is waning, but it is still important to remember that many people will simply not be very impressed with self-publishing.
2. Cost. If you're going to do it right, a self-published author is going to incur some costs.  I've read many self-published books where the lack of professional editing is obvious.  Traditional publishing handles everything from editing to distribution for their chosen books; however, self-published authors are on their own.  There are some options: pay a vanity publisher, pay an individual editor, or self-edit.  Ultimately, you want an outside editor to ensure your work is polished for readers, and it is going to cost money. 
3. Design.  Cover design is important even for ebooks.  According to Cheri Breeding from the website Self Publishing Advisor, statistics say that it takes only 8 seconds for readers to decide if they'll buy your title... all based on the cover!  Based on my own experience, I avoid ebooks with generic covers.  You know the ones: each is a variation of another, simply plain, or could pass for twenty other books of the same genre.  A good cover is going to cost and will be a big part of number 4.
4. Marketing.  Professional writers have agents and publishing houses behind them to assist with marketing their product.  Self-published authors may either pay for assistance with marketing with a book marketing consultant or put their feet to the ground and take off running themselves.  The internet provides many ways options for self-marketing: internet advertising, book review sites, social media, blogs, podcasts, etc, but the self-published author must be willing to work his or her tail off to make a name for themselves.  Some marketing will cost you and some will be free.  A self-published author must not be afraid to market his or her self and have the ability to create and maintain a strong marketing plan if they want to be successful.
5. Distribution.   If you decide to sell in print format as well as ebook, you'll have to research the cost of printing and engaging a distributor.  Some distributors also provide an option for using their sales team to get your book into more retailers (example: Associated Publishers Group).  This piece of the puzzle is probably why most self-published authors stick to ebooks.  Moral of the story: really research your options and see what will work best for your title.

None of this means that you shouldn't try your hand at self-publishing.  With some a solid plan and hard work, you can be successful.  Just don't publish your book for free on Amazon then sit back and expect to see the money start rolling in.

7 Ways to Boost Creativity

Ever get stuck in a writing rut? I know there are times when I just cannot get the creative juices flowing. Sometimes it helps to step out and try something different. Next time you need a creativity boost, try some of these on for size.

1. People watch. Go out somewhere in public and just observe those around you. A park, the mall, a coffee shop. It doesn't matter. Find a place you are drawn to and park it. You see so many things when you take a minute to stop and pay attention. Inspiration can be found all around you.
2. Pick up a book. I love to read, and sometimes it helps me to just let go and read someone's work. Choose poetry, short fiction, or even non-fiction and take a break to let your mind stretch and recharge.
3. Listen to music. Put on your favorite tunes and just jam! Research indicates that listening to music makes us happier, which helps improve cognitive performance. I can definitely say that I seem to be much more inspired while I'm listening to music, and I write much more than normal. Give it a shot!
4. Daydream. Studies say it works! Let your mind drift and see where it takes you.
5. Get tired. As I wrote in a previous post, you are much more creative when you're tired. Stay up late, let your mind get fuzzy, then put that pen to paper.
6. Move your eyes bilaterally. According to one study, subjects who moved their eyes bilaterally from left to right were much more creative than those who stared straight ahead. The movement is said to increase communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, thereby increasing creativity. 
7. Write while emotional.  A study in 2007 revealed that creativity receives a significant boost when emotions are running high. Next time you are very happy, angry, sad, etc, try to write and those emotions just might pay off.

What are some ways you boost your creativity?  Feel free to share in the comments!

Three Mistakes Beginning Writers Often Make

Every writer has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some are strong in grammar. Some are guilty of “showing” so much that they don't move the story along. Others don't give enough description. The more you write and get feedback from others, the more you will figure out what you need to work on to become a better writer. Here are three mistakes beginning and even experienced writers often make. I know I catch myself being guilty of these.

1. Spell-check Software vs Editing: Many believe a quick run of spell-check will catch all of their spelling and grammatical errors and quickly polish their piece for reader consumption. Think about this: does spell-check catch the difference between their, there, and they're? Simple mistakes or misspellings are not identified with basic spell-check programs.  You need to edit!  Read your work silently at least three times to identify spelling and grammatical errors.  Read it out loud to identify the flow of your work.  How does it sound to the reader?  You wouldn't believe the difference it makes to hear your work out loud.  Not only is it important to edit for errors, it's important to edit for clarity, flow, and readability.  You'll catch sentences that are full of filler.  You'll catch sentences that stumble through to the end.  Lesson learned: Edit!
2. Using Clichés: As a reader, how many times do you read the same metaphors over and over again?  Be creative with your descriptions, metaphors, etc.  I try to avoid clichés in my work unless I absolutely cannot think of something better.  If you have to, use them initially, but when you go back to edit, change to something more creative.  You'll be amazed at the things you can come up with if you just put in some effort.  Believe me, readers will appreciate it.
3. Wordiness!: When you put too much in a sentence, readers will stray and have a hard time following it.  For my final in my Place & Setting course this semester, we had to revise two of our major creative writing pieces in the class.  When I went back today to revise my very first assignment, I completely agreed with my professor that some of my sentences were over the top.  You can convey the same feelings, descriptions, or ideas in simple ways that do not lose your reader. 

First Lines Challenge: Day 13

Two prancing goats dented the roof of my car.


Practice the power of opening lines. Take the 30 Day First Lines Challenge.

Top 4 Reasons Writers Avoid Writing

I've been there. I'm sure you have to. For one reason or another, you avoid that deep down biting desire to write. That story you've imagined for years, written in your head those late sleepless nights, that's been gnawing at your brain every time you pick up a pen, sits gathering dust in your mental library. But why?



Author Ronlyn Domingue explores this walls many writers hit in her article, "Listen to the Deep Know: The Urge for a Writer's Life."

1. Expectations. "You might ask yourself, "I want to write, but what would THEY think?" Ask yourself instead, "What do I want?" In the end, it's your life -- and your stories."
2. Circumstances. "Your path might be cluttered with obstacles. You want to get an MFA, but you don't think you can spare the cost or the time."
3. Fear. "This is the worst. It's connected to the darkness of the unknown and the heart of self-doubt. Sometimes, you wonder whether it matters if you write."
4. Stability. This is my own personal addition. Many writers may have good, solid careers.  For me, I have a job in healthcare with a promising future. If my career stays on this upward path, why try for something uncertain?

The whole point is that if you have the drive to write, you have to take chances.  I'm not saying just quit your job and go for it but work it in the wee hours of the night.  Set aside time.  Don't give up.  Your "deep know" won't.