Category Archives: Creative Writing

Writing Prompt Level: Expert!

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

Here is a writing prompt picture I posted recently and the amazingly creative response by writer Bill Williams Bill Williams – This is actually pretty easy to explain. *sips coffee* The cats in the front are feline overlords. They were … Continue reading →

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Smothered in an Avalanche of Ideas

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

One of my old story development clients recently wrote to me about getting drowned in a sea of ideas for his story, unable to organize his material, make choices, or more forward. Here is the note I wrote him in … Continue reading →

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The Creativity Two-Step

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

The concept behind this method of finding inspiration is quite simple, really: It is easier to come up with many ideas than it is to come up with one idea. Now that may sound counter-intuitive, but consider this… When you … Continue reading →

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Basic Tips for Beginning Writers

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

Here’s a short list of our best tips and articles for novice writers to help you find inspiration, get you started, and carry you to completion of your novel or screenplay. Ten Essential Tips for Beginning Writers Character Development Tricks! … Continue reading →

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You are only as good as your own talent. GET OVER IT!

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

You are only as good as your own talent. GET OVER IT! You have a gift. Maybe it’s a grand one and maybe you wish you could exchange it. But you can’t. It’s your gift and it’s only as good … Continue reading →

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Avoid Writer’s Block with “Nonsense”

Posted on April 19, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

StoryWeaving – Write Your Novel or Screenplay Step By Step Step 2: Nonsense! If you already know what your story is about want to get right to the details, you might want to jump ahead to the “Finding the Holes” … Continue reading →

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A World About Inspiration for Writers

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

Inspiration can come from many sources: a conversation overheard at a coffee shop, a newspaper article, or a personal experience to name a few. And, inspiration can also take many forms: a snippet of dialogue, a bit of action, a … Continue reading →

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The Story Mind (Part 7) – Story Structure vs. Storytelling

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Melanie Anne Phillips

Excerpted from the Book “Dramatica Unplugged“ By Melanie Anne Phillips, Co-creator of Dramatica By now, you’re likely pretty familiar with the concept that every story has a mind of its own – a psychology (the structure) and a personality (the storytelling). But, … Continue reading →

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Your Story as a Person

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Melanie Anne Phillips

All too often, authors get mired in the details of a story, trying to cram everything in and make all the pieces fit.  Characters are then seen only as individuals, so they often unintentionally overlap each other’s dramatic functions. The … Continue reading →

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Finding Your Creative Time

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Melanie Anne Phillips

You sit in your favorite writing chair, by the window, on the porch, or in the study. You wear your favorite tweed jacket with the leather elbow patches, or your blue jeans, or your “creative shoes.” You look around at … Continue reading →

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