Diana Stout MFA Ph.D. – screenwriter, author
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Author Archives: Dr. Diana Stout
Personal Traits and Deepening Characters
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group July question: What personal traits have you written into your character(s)? Personal Traits & Deepening Characters Currently writing a romance series of seven novellas, I’m starting the first draft of the fourth novella, Buried Hearts. … Continue reading
Making a Difference
Have you ever uttered, “Why bother? It won’t make a difference,” or something like that? Yeah, I have. Lots of times. When I started writing and putting my work out in the public forum, I figured few would read my … Continue reading
Posted in Blogging, Inspiration, Motivation, Persistance
Tagged Dissertation, Goals, making a difference, Ph.D., Plagiarism, teaching, Why bother?, WMU, writing
13 Comments
Down the Rabbit Hole a.k.a. Life’s Little Hiccups & Big Booms
I’m behind in my writing. Again. I wish I could say that I don’t know how it happens, but I do. While I accuse Life of sticking out its foot and tripping me so that I’ll look funny with arms … Continue reading
A New Year Means New Opportunities: But Wait It’s February Already!
Okay, I admit it, I’m a bit behind. But since there’s a meme on Facebook that says January was a practice month, that 2019 started with February, I’m on time! Because it is the new year, it’s time to talk … Continue reading
Posted in Goals, Inspiration, writing
Tagged Being lazy, blogs, calendar, David & Goliath, Determined Hearts, Diane Burton, edit, Goals, Grendel's Mother, historical, Maris Soule, Mid-Michigan Romance Writers of America, New Year, Norman Vincent Peale, republish, Romance Writers of America, setting goals, SMART goals, Tony Robbins, W.K.Kellogg Institute, Wayne Dyer, writing
8 Comments
9 Tips to Creating Inspiration
Inspiration doesn’t just happen. Inspiration is the reaction of doing something else first. In all good stories, characters act and then react. In the same way, there are actions, you, as a writer, must act first. The inspiration will follow. … Continue reading
The Eyes Have It–Or Do They?
Her eyes flew across the room. His eyes dropped to her chest. These two examples are typical detached body parts I see in written literature, more often than not, from beginners. I don’t know about you, but for me, not … Continue reading
Posted in Errors when writing, Stylistic Choices
Tagged clear meaning, eyes vs gaze, writing, writing errors
3 Comments
If My Characters Feel So Real, How Can They Be Imaginary?
My life as a writer has provided me many meetings—some fun and some strange. Fun meetings involve other writers, some best-selling authors, new authors, and many writes in between. Many have become friends. Other fun meetings involve readers. Their enthusiasm … Continue reading
Posted in Characters, Inspiration, writing
Tagged Characters, characters who scare you, fiction, writing
2 Comments
As a Writer Should I Blog? What Should I Write?
Often, when a new writer finds out that I blog, I’m asked one or more of the following questions: Should I blog? Blogging has different definitions depending on whom you ask. I liken blogging to the old newspaper and magazine … Continue reading
When is a Book Ready for a Beta Reader?
I gave a presentation recently, “Self-Editing Made Easier,” to a group of writers who are at varying levels regarding their careers: some are new writers, just finishing the first draft of their first book; a few have multiple books out; … Continue reading
I’m not inspired to write…now, what do I do?
Because I’m on various writing forums, I hear new writers asking, How do I write when I’m not inspired? When I was a beginning writer, I wrote when inspired. At the time, I had a lot to say. My creative … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes with Dr. Diana Stout 