Author Archives: Diana Stout

About Diana Stout

Screenwriter, author, former English professor

How to Write When Struggling – Part II

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Diana Stout

Making Changes Can Make a Difference Writers write in the best of times: when they’re healthy, working full-time, parenting, maintaining their homes, special celebratory events, births, and socializing. They write in the worst of times: when ill, laid off, dealing … Continue reading →

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How to Write When Struggling – Part 1

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Diana Stout

When struggling with characters, plot, interest, or the writing In wanting to write a new blog, I started going through my TO BE WRITTEN file of blog ideas. I came across a copy of Maggie Doonan’s blog, “4 Signs It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, Characters, Failures, Inspiration, Motivation, Persistance, Procrastination, writing | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Writing Dream

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group July 1 question – There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade? A Writing Dream Ideally, I would … Continue reading →

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Writers Have Secrets? Oh, my!

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group June 3 question – Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work? While I don’t consider that as a writer I have secrets, I suppose … Continue reading →

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I just got a 1- or 2-star review! What do I do now?

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The May 6 question of “Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?” is one I can answer that in two simple sentences: Not … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Publishing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

My Life with the COVID-19 Lockdown…so far

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (#IWSG)  Our April 1 question – The IWSG’s focus is on our writers. Each month, from all over the globe, we are a united group sharing our insecurities, our troubles, and our pain. So, in … Continue reading →

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It’s Read an eBook Week – March 1-7: What are you reading?

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (#IWSG) Rather than answer the March 4 question posed by the group, I’ve chosen to write about this week’s national recognition on eReading. It’s Read an eBook Week – March 1-7: What are you reading? … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Reading | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Valentine for You – With Love

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Diana Stout

Movies + Romance = The Key to My Heart I’m a romantic in so many ways, it would take another blog to explain all of my many connections to Venus, the moon, nature, and more. As a romantic, I adore … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Movies, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Pictures Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Diana Stout

I’m one of those writers who finds stories everywhere: from conversations, articles I’ve read, seeing something in nature, from words a character in another story utters, from looking outside my window, from songs, from reading a list of poisons, visiting … Continue reading →

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It All Began With a Book Report

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Diana Stout

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group  January 8 question – What started you on your writing journey? Was it a particular book, movie, story, or series? Was it a teacher/coach/spouse/friend/parent? Did you just “know” suddenly you wanted to write?  It All … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, #IWSG, Blogging, Inspiration, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment