Category Archives: Writer at Work

The One Book Review Every Author Wants

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review, do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

4 Reasons Why I Participate in NaNoWriMo

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The author discusses her participation in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) since 2013, in which she primarily worked on her seven-story Laurel Ridge romance series. She also published six other books during this period. She attends NaNoWriMo for its accountability, dedicated writing time, camaraderie, and reflection on past achievements. For the upcoming event, the author intends to write a guidebook for aspiring writers. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Where Do My Story Ideas Come From?

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Where do I get my story ideas from? Here are a few places… Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Writer at Work | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Writing Career Path: Finding the Joy

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

I found joy as a writer, but I almost gave it up. Writing is so much about the journey. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Publishing books, Writer at Work, writing, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

October’s Glory

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The question for this month is: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? Because I have a number of favorite genres, that question becomes long in answering. Instead, I’m choosing to … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Writing Highs and Lows

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Like any job, writing comes with its own highs and lows. See what this writer’s highs and lows have been. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

An introduction

Posted on April 24, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Asked to write an introduction to a Facebook writer’s group recently, Not wanting to write the usual intro composed of achievement, instead, I wrote… She steps out from the center of the crowd, several dozen individuals all clamoring for individual … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, Writer at Work | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Secret Mystery Behind Deep POV

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Are you puzzled by all this talk of Deep POV? Want to know what it is and what it looks like? Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, Characters, Writer at Work | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Finding Your Fire & Keeping It Hot

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Finding Your Fire & Keeping It Hot A new year and a new me! What an explosion of events and opportunities that have come my way the last couple of months!!! And, I’m on fire, as a result! Truly ironic … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, Laurel Ridge novellas, Publishing, teaching, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Secret of Writing: Why You Want At Least Four Drafts

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Even though I’d been writing for nearly thirty years and writing various drafts, it wasn’t until I returned to school, learning how to teach college composition that I discovered the different drafts each had a name and a purpose. Once … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments