Month: November 2019
The Best Writing Advice I Ever Received.
In Margaret Atwood’s MasterClass, she tells writers to reveal character through action.
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Shonda Rhimes: Compassion For Characters
For more than a month, I walked the dog with Shonda Rhimes. Ms. Rhimes’ MasterClass is one of the longer and, in my opinion, more informative courses for writers on the podcast service. She demystifies breaking into television, discusses writing in general and also gets specific with the structure of various types of television episodes. She’s also has an amazing work-ethic, approach to her craft, and incredible talent. Plus, she’s funny.
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Lessons From Mamet’s Masterclass
Blame the Facebook ads. But I’ve been on a masterclass kick.
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Happy Book Birthday: Paula Munier!
Today, I would like to wish a happy book birthday to my agent Paula Munier, one of the regular contributors to this blog and the link between many of us Missdemeanors.
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Genre-Specific
Mysteries have always been my escape. As a child, I read Nancy Drew, Goosebumps, and E.L. Konigsburg “From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” to get a break from being a kid with very little agency who felt like things were always happening around–or to–her.
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Favorite Farewells
The Sound of Music is still one of my favorite movies. I understand it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but starting with that iconic opening scene to nuns stealing engine parts, there’s just so much to love. When I first encountered the 1965 musical drama, I identified with Marta and hoped one day I would be like Liesl. I adored Maria, despised The Baroness–now one of my favorites–and was utterly heartbroken by Rolf’s betrayal. And, of course, there was the good night song and that glass of champagne. I inhale the moment Captain von Trapp tears the Nazi flag and don’t exhale until I know the family is safely hiking up the Alps toward Switzerland. I think one of the reasons I love this ending is that it touches on two themes Alexia and Tracee bring up (read on): not everything is perfect and there is hope.
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