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Writing in the Modern Age


Writing & Guest Author Blog

New Release Feature: Fiona Tarr’s romantic suspense DEADLY DECEIT and Sale on Book 1

12/3/2021

1 Comment

 

Hi, readers! We have a real treat in store for you today, a new release by Fiona Tarr, a talented author! 
 
Congratulations on your latest book! 
 
Let's check out the details, shall we?

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Book Info
 
Title:  Deadly Deceit - Book 3 - Foxy Mysteries Series
 
Author:  Fiona Tarr
 
Genre:  Mystery/Crime Fiction/Romantic Suspense

 
Blurb:  

How much will the truth cost?

When Liz Jeffreys changed career paths from high-class escort to PI, she knew it would be exciting. What she never expected was to be investigating the attempted murder of Detective Jack Cunningham’s powerful father—not after everything the corrupt Judge had done, especially sanctioning a hit on her.

Jack is close to cracking the case, until his apartment is raided by a specialist task force investigating outlaw motorcycle gangs. When they find drugs, Jack finds himself on suspension and under investigation. Despite their past and his father’s history with Liz, Jack must turn to her to clear his name and solve his father’s case.

With their budding relationship heating up, Liz will do anything to uncover who framed Jack and help clear his name. But is she willing to lay her life on the line to save his father, after everything he’s done?

Curl up, grab a cuppa and indulge yourself with this mystery, slow burn romantic suspense novel. For lovers of J.D Robb, Janet Evanovich and Melinda Leigh.


Release Date:  December 1, 2021

Genre:  Mystery/Crime Fiction/Romantic Suspense

Sounds like quite a reading experience here!

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlEqPW

Also, book one, Death Beneath the Covers, is on sale for a limited time until December 7th, just for 99 cents!

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Check out the whole series!
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Don't miss this new release...

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About author Fiona Tarr
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Fiona's stories are Captivating, Bold, Passionate Suspense reads no matter the genre, from her Historical Fantasy to the most recent Mystery suspense series, these themes prevail. 
It turns out writing is in the blood. Fiona's Great Uncle was Australian Literary author George Johnston (My Brother Jack) and although her style is different, her Uncle's social commentary tone is evident. 
Fiona lives in Noosa Australia with her husband, and not far from her two adult sons. A self-confessed people watcher, Fiona loves to interpret body language and social cues, which you'll find evident in her character development. 
Recently compared to Melinda Leigh and Janet Evanovich, Fiona's mystery/romantic suspense novels have been well received.
Join Fiona's Reader Team and discover what motivates her stories, the process she uses to research and to be the first to know about future releases. Just copy and paste this link. 
https://www.subscribepage.com/c8s0o4_copy
 
Links:
 
Bookbub profile
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fiona-tarr
 
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/fionatarr.atime2write
 
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/fionatarr/
 
Website
http://www.atime2write.com.au
 
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8423164.Fiona_Tarr

​

Wow, this looks riveting!

Thanks for stopping by to tell us about your new release, Fiona. Get your copy of this romantic suspense novel, readers! 
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Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age guest article here.

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1 Comment

Blog Tour Feature: THE TRIALS OF ADELINE TURNER by Angela Terry

10/25/2021

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Hi, readers! We have a real treat in store for you today, a spotlight on a book by Angela Terry, a talented author! 

Angela, an author I met on my journey, has a blog tour running right now.

Let's check out the details, shall we?

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From Charming Falls Apart author Angela Terry comes a story about finding the courage to face your past, be true to your heart, and live your best life.

​"From the very first page, I was hooked on this tale of heartbreak, self-discovery, and one woman's charming determination to turn lemons into lemonade. Fans of Emily Giffin and Lauren Weisberger will love this engaging and entertaining debut!"―Meg Donohue, USA Today best-selling author of You, Me, and the Sea
 
"The Trials of Adeline Turner is a fast-paced tale of dating in your 30s and learning to trust your inner voice. Brimming with wit, banter, romance and heart, it has all the ingredients of the perfect beach read. I was charmed!" ―Lindsay Cameron, award-winning author of BIGLAW and Just One Look

 
A career-driven early thirty-something, Adeline is climbing the law firm ladder and navigating the roulette of “tall, dark and toxic” bachelors in the Chicago dating scene when opportunities new and old fall in her lap on a business trip to sunny California. Book clubs and fans of women’s fiction will enjoy cheering for Adeline Turner as she navigates the twists and turns of her newly complicated life in this fun, heartwarming novel.

The Trials of Adeline Turner: A Novel
By Angela Terry

 
A FUN AND CHARMING STORY OF REINVENTION, THIS CHARACTER-DRIVEN NOVEL IS THE PERFECT BEACH READ
 
Anyone who’s ever reminisced about their unrequited first love or longed for a shakeup just when they thought they were settled will love the charming and fun story of Adeline Turner. A career-driven early thirty-something, Adeline is climbing the law firm ladder and navigating the roulette of “tall, dark and toxic” bachelors in the Chicago dating scene when opportunities new and old fall in her lap on a business trip to sunny California. Book clubs and fans of women’s fiction will devour The Trials of Adeline Turner by Angela Terry.

Risk-averse Adeline uncharacteristically takes the leap into a new life in San Francisco. But a suddenly messy romantic life and suspicions of an office sabotage threaten to derail her high-flying future before it’s off the ground. Without the safety net of her old life in Chicago, Addie must become her own advocate and learn that people aren’t always what they seem. Does the key to having the future she desires lie in uncovering the truth of the past?

“Like my character, I moved from Chicago to San Francisco as an adult and had to go through the process creating a new life and friendships,” Terry says. “I want my stories to illuminate the importance of being true to yourself and finding what makes you happy – which often involves getting out of your comfort zone, letting go of any old stories that hold you back, and listening to your heart.”

Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lauren Weisberger and Emily Giffin’s iconic Something Borrowed and Something Blue novels will adore The Trials of Adeline Turner.

Title: The Trials of Adeline Turner
Author: Angela Terry

Release Date: October 19, 2021
Publisher: Girl Friday Books
Genre: Women's Fiction
Pages: 277
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 BLURB:

​
From Charming Falls Apart author Angela Terry comes a story about finding the courage to face your past, be true to your heart, and live your best life. Fans of Sophie Kinsella and Emily Giffin will enjoy cheering for Adeline Turner as she navigates the twists and turns of her newly complicated life in this fun, heartwarming novel.

Thirty-three-year-old corporate attorney Adeline Turner has built her adult life around stability. Her professional life is thriving, but her personal life . . . not so much. Deep down she wants more, but finds it’s easier to brush aside her dreams and hide behind her billable hours. That is, until a new client and a chance encounter with her high school crush have her taking leaps she never planned. Suddenly, unadventurous, nose-to-the-grindstone Adeline finds herself moving across the country from her predictable life in Chicago to San Francisco, falling into messy romantic situations, and trying to unravel an office-sabotage plot before it ruins her career.

Without the safety net of her old life in Chicago, Adeline must become her own advocate and learn that people aren’t always who they seem. Which makes her wonder if the key to having the future she desires lies in uncovering the truth of the past.

Goodreads:  
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57934079-the-trials-of-adeline-turner
BookBub: 
https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-trials-of-adeline-turner-by-angela-terry
 
Purchase links:
Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Trials-Adeline-Turner-Angela-Terry-ebook/dp/B08XKJW6V9/
Universal Reader Link:  https://books2read.com/u/mlEgBq


MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:


Intriguing! Let's chat with the author for a bit...

Angela, nice to have you here on Writing in the Modern Age! Glad you could stop by!
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Angela: Hi, thanks for inviting me!

Marie Lavender (host): Sure! So, Who do you think is the ideal reader for The Trials of Adeline Turner?

Author Angela Terry: Generally, this book is for anyone who enjoys voice-driven, contemporary escapist women’s fiction. Specifically, this book is for someone who may be like Adeline, where they might have a successful career, but want more in their personal life. And, of course, this book is for anyone who still thinks about their first crush and wonders, “What if?” (although, sometimes the dream is better than the reality!).
 
Marie: You’re a big fan of “chick lit”. What are your feelings about that name for the niche of fun and flirty women’s voices?

Angela: The first “chick-lit” book I read was Bridget Jones’s Diary, and it introduced me (and a generation) to books about women who were going through similar issues as I was in my twenties and thirties. I was navigating and balancing my career, dating, family and friends, and asking the question of, “What do I want my life to look like?”. These books were usually told in a light, entertaining, first-person voice, and the characters felt real to me. So, while I know the term has fallen out of favor over the years, it still has a soft spot in my heart.
 
My books have been called rom-com, chick lit, and women’s fiction. I personally consider my books to be women’s fiction, since they focus more on the emotional growth of my heroine towards a more fulfilled self. But I also love a good happily-ever-after. So, if my novel is hanging out on the rom-com table, I’m happy with that because I just want readers to be able to discover my books.

 
Marie: What books and authors have inspired you?

Angela: The first chick-lit book I read was Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, and from there I was hooked on these lighter tone, voice-driven, confessional type of stories. From there, I read Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, and I absolutely loved, and still love, Jane Green’s novels, which have evolved from early chick lit to women’s fiction.
 
Emily Giffin’s books, though, finally gave me that push to start writing my own books. When returning home from a vacation, I had picked up Something Blue at the airport and devoured it in one sitting. I love how honest and complicated her characters are, and how effortless her writing style seems. When I turned the book over to read her biography, which read, “After practicing litigation at a Manhattan firm for several years, she moved to London to write full time…”, it struck me that hers was the first “attorney bio” I read where I thought, “I want to do that!” That was the moment I decided to commit to my writing.

 
Marie: Where is your favorite place to read?

Angela: My favorite place to read would be my sofa with my cats. But where I get the most reading done would be at airports and on airplanes. I’m terrified of flying, and so I will save up books to read for my flight to have something to look forward to. Now I can’t wait to get to the airport and will be at my gate two hours early to catch up on my reading.
 
Marie: How has the pandemic affected your reading (and writing) habits?

Angela: In the beginning of the pandemic, I found it hard to concentrate on reading and writing. But thanks to my book club and being introduced to the Bookstagram community, I managed to get back my reading mojo. Though I will say, I found myself reaching for lighter, uplifting reads during this time.
 
The pandemic also affected my writing. Normally, whenever I get stuck on a scene, I like to go for a walk or head to a coffee shop. Seeing people on the street and eavesdropping on conversations always gives me new inspiration. With shelter-in-place, I found myself watching television a lot more to study people’s expressions, as well as voice inflections and cadence for dialogue purposes. 


Marie: I know what you mean. My reading and writing habits were affected too.

In any case, it was such a pleasure to have you here today. ♥

Emilia: For myself as well. Thanks for allowing me to visit!

Marie: Of course! 
Hope to see you back here sometime...
​
(Waves goodbye to her guest.)


​Readers, how about a look inside Angela's new release?

​​
Let's check out an excerpt!

Since I’ll be gone for almost a week and had to bring a full lineup of suits, business casual, and sportswear, I have to go through the whole ordeal of checking luggage. After handing my suitcase to the airline clerk and receiving my luggage tag, I smile, say thank you, and turn around while readjusting my tote bag on my shoulder. As I do, I run smack into a blue shirt. 
“Ow, sorry,” I say apologetically. “I should really look where I’m going.” 
“No problem.” A deep male voice laughs as he places his hands on my elbows, obviously trying to stop me from running him over. “Are you okay?” 
As I’m standing there rubbing the tip of my nose, something about his voice strikes a chord inside me and I look up. 
Whoa! This man is beautiful, and his smile is even more so, and I stumble a little as I take a small step back. 
“Yeah, thanks. Sorry again for my clumsiness!” I answer laughingly, embarrassed. 
“No problem.” 
He releases my elbows, and I move aside as he goes up to the check-in counter. 
Away from the line, I recombobulate myself, pulling my tote back onto my shoulder. I’m a little shaky, though, and feel a flush spreading across my chest. I sneak a look at the back of the man I just bumped into. Very tall and fit-looking with a gorgeous head of hair. The most perfect shade of chestnut, it’s thick and a little wavy and flops in all the right directions. He’s running his hand through it as he waits for the airline clerk. He’s looking around now. Mmm . . . what nice, strong-looking shoulders. Oh wait, he’s looking at me! Probably because I’m staring at him. Oops! I give a half smile, and just as I turn around to head to security, the clerk says, “Thank you, Mr. Summers,” and I freeze. 
I know this man! 
My flush escapes my crewneck to my cheeks, and I’m freaking out—not so much that I know him, but at my reaction. Am I sweating? One half of me wants to get the hell out of here, but the other half, the deer in the headlights, is rooted to the spot. Even if I wanted to run, my legs are like Jell-O and I’m too shaken to even try to take a step. 
The blue shirt appears in front of me again. “Hi,” Brad says. 
Brad Summers, my unrequited high school crush, is standing in front of me eighteen years later. 

***
When we reach the Starbucks, we order our coffee, and Brad kindly says, “Here, let me get this. It’s nice to see an old friend.” The fifteen-year-old girl inside me swoons. If he considers his plain former neighbor an old friend, who am I to argue? 
We sit down at a table and begin firing off more questions. Would you believe that my beloved Brad is, of all things, a real estate attorney? Who would have guessed? Especially since, let’s be honest, most attorneys are pretty bland personality-wise. But Brad is nothing like that. He’s funny and charming, and his eyes sparkle when he laughs. I’m dying to ask him, And why aren’t you married? but we stay on nonromantic conversation points, such as where we went to school, why we decided to become attorneys, and what our chosen career would be if we could do anything and not worry about finances. (He’d renovate houses full-time, and I’d be a writer, and yes, we both would travel.) Throughout the conversation, I simply bask in the warmth of his smile and the full focus of his attention. At some point, though, I glance at my watch and realize I need to get to my gate now. 
“Shoot. I better go if I want to catch my flight,” I say with definite disappointment in my voice. 
He in turn looks at his watch. “Oh, yeah, you better get a move on.” 
We both stand up at the same time. “Yes, well, it was really great running into you. Have a good flight,” I say. 
“Yeah. You too.” 
I’m about to reach out to shake his hand, but then I figure, what the hell? He did say earlier I was an old friend, right? So I lean in and give him a hug. A hug that lingers a little too long. But as I feel the warmth of his skin rising and catch a delicious scent of cologne/aftershave, I don’t want to let go, ever. 


So...what are other readers saying about The Trials of Adeline Turner?
PictureImage by Tomislav Kaučić from Pixabay.

"This novel has a delightful rom com tone which is fun and easy to read, but doesn’t let itself be boxed into common tropes. Adeline Turner has no life-balance and a less than perfect romantic life, but other than that she has it all together—the sought after legal job on a track to partnership, a father who’s proud of her, a client who’s impressed, and soon a job offer to move to San Francisco.
So she’s well-grounded, that is until she runs into her unrequited high school crush, who reappears in real life. She’s way too old (in her thirties) and is too much of a professional to be blushing and flushing over a fellow lawyer, but yes, she is. And she’s embarrassed about it and trying hard to keep her professional and personal lives separate.
Add in a subplot of corporate intrigue and backstabbing, and leaving her best friend and confidante behind in Chicago and Adeline has plenty to deal with.
I enjoyed the balanced tone of this book. It covers real questions around regrets and whether we take chances on love, but in a lighthearted way that’s enjoyable to read.
A truly satisfying read."
 -- L Cameron, Amazon

"A Charming Slice-of-Life Read. Give me a delightful heroine, an engaging journey of self-discovery, and a healthy dose of romance and I’ll give you my undivided attention. That’s exactly what happened when I picked up Angela Terry’s new novel, The Trials of Adeline Turner.
I’m always craving those delicious slice-of-life tales of women finding their way through new friendships, work drama, and the complex world of dating, and The Trials of Adeline Turner perfectly satisfied that sweet spot. Angela Terry’s writing is fresh, funny, and sharp, and in Adeline, she has created a character that I not only rooted and felt for, but that I wanted to hang out with. Like Adeline, I never knew what was going to happen, and through all of the ups and downs, I just loved being along for the ride.
If you’re looking for a book about finding your way, coming to terms with the past, and braving the way towards a new future, don’t miss out on The Trials of Adeline Turner."
 --  Stephanie Burns, Amazon

"I took to Adeline immediately. She’s a Chicago lawyer, merely existing, but asking too much from life. Suddenly, she has a career opportunity and also a potential crush turns real. While a good attorney, Adeline has a lot to learn in the People department. Adeline finally comes to realizations in her life and takes action. She doesn’t just settle, although that would be the easy way out. I liked that she was a Midwesterner and it was home for her. It’s a great read." -- J.K., Amazon


Wow, this book sounds so compelling!
 
Readers, you'll have to check out this read! Or, add it to your Goodreads bookshelf or save it to your BookBub wishlist!


Looks awesome to me! :)
​

Thanks so much, Angela!

Let's also give kudos to Angela's sponsor:
​
Grab a copy of this one, everyone. 

Thank you for letting us know all about your women's fiction novel. It sounds like quite a read!
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Angela Terry is an attorney who formerly practiced intellectual property law at large firms in Chicago and San Francisco. She is also a Chicago Marathon legacy runner and races to raise money for PAWS Chicago—the Midwest’s largest no-kill shelter. She resides in San Francisco with her husband and two cats and enjoys throwing novel-themed dinner parties for her women’s fiction book club. Her debut novel, Charming Falls Apart, is a 2021 Independent Press Awards Winner, 2021 IPBA Benjamin Franklin Awards Finalist, and 2020 Best Book Awards Finalist.

Author links:
​http://www.angelaterry.com/
http://www.facebook.com/angelaterryauthor
http://www.instagram.com/angelaterryauthor
http://www.twitter.com/angelaterrylit
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20487515.Angela_Terry
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/angela-terry
​
Thanks for stopping by to let us know about your new release, Angela! ♥

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age guest article here.

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Seven Ways to Recover Your Writing Motivation by Marie Lavender

9/17/2021

0 Comments

 

7 Ways to Recover Your Writing Motivation:
an admin article by Marie Lavender




There are times when life just gets in the way. At the least, the chaos of it can interfere with a writer's creativity. Getting caught in the daily grind will sap a writer of his or her energy over time, eventually leading to that dreaded situation we call 'writer's block'.

Big life events can sometimes block your creative juices. Whether the dilemma comes from grief from losing a family member, significant depression, or just a general malaise after being too busy, all of these might contribute to an artist feeling like there's just no point to writing. Or, that they can no longer get things going on their own. One would consider the Covid crisis a serious motivator, but for some of us...that just didn't happen.

Yet, it is not a weakness to ask for help, at any time. There are numerous resources that can refuel your creativity, to try to get you back on the right path.

No matter which genre you usually love to write, if you're desperate to regain that motivation you used to have, some options are within reach. I will list several below.

1. Take a Break.

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Jonnelle Yankovich, Unsplash.
If you're stuck on a certain scene or chapter of your work in progress, perhaps it's best to get some much needed distance and gain a little perspective. Go for a nature walk. The solution will come to you in time.

Another option would be to switch projects, even focus on another story for a while just so that you're not wracking your brain with limited results.

2. Do Writing Exercises.

If you've taken any writing  workshops or classes (even if you're a self-taught writer), you are probably familiar with this approach. And at this point, it might even seem a bit sophomoric. But I would urge you to go always go back to the basics if you're struggling with writer's block. It's not that you've forgotten how writing works. That's just not possible. No, it's more important to keep an open mind, to consider different ways of thinking if you intend to regain your writing motivation.

By using an option such a writing prompt, you're retraining your fingers to write based on an idea which is given to you rather than going after a project you came up with in the first place. You're actually letting those creative juices flow instead of getting all bogged down in the notion that there is an end goal to it, such as publication. In all likelihood, most writing exercises are for your benefit alone. Maybe now and then, you'll find a snippet you can use for a future project. But this is more to practice writing, to get your head out of the game. Stop thinking and start writing. See where it takes you. You might be surprised at what comes out of a writing prompt. Or maybe you would like to take a writing class. In any case, I hope you find the joy for writing again. So I would suggest that any writer have a journal on hand, even if all you do is write down the random things that you think about.

There are other types of writing exercises as well - brainstorming, freewriting, and the list just goes on. Do various approaches, and stay open to trying different mediums or genres. If you usually write fiction, write an essay one day. Or write a poem. Doing something so out of the ordinary may make you uncomfortable, but keep in mind that other people likely won't see it, so you don't need to feel exposed. The point here is that you're trying something new, which opens your mind further and helps you regain your writing motivation.

Use these links below to learn more about some exercises you can do to jumpstart your creativity again.
www.pw.org/writing-prompts-exercises
thewritepractice.com/short-story-ideas/
blog.reedsy.com/short-story-ideas/

blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/general/
www.servicescape.com/blog/301-short-story-ideas-guaranteed-to-kick-your-writing-into-high-gear
www.odysseyworkshop.org/writing-tips/
blog.prepscholar.com/creative-writing-prompts
getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/writing-prompts-60-ideas-you-can-use-today

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Jazmin Quaynor, Unsplash.
3. Start a Writing Schedule.

I know this sounds rather ambitious, especially when you're suffering from writer's block. But it does help to schedule a slot which is dedicated to your writing. Even if all you do is freewrite a bunch of nonsense or only focus on the research portion of your project, you will feel a greater sense of accomplishment by checking this one off your weekly list.

Try to schedule in at least some writing time. Experiment to determine which time of the day best fits your life, and especially your creativity. Perhaps you feel more of a spark in the evening. Or maybe it comes in the morning after your first cup of coffee. Some of you have probably done this before. Assume nothing. It is okay if your preferred time has changed after so many years. Whichever works for you, go for it.

Can't do it twice a week? No problem. Try for once per week, at a twenty-minute sprint. Don't push yourself too much if you're not ready yet.
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Kelly Sikkema, Unsplash.
4. Break It Down and Battle Your Fear.

Pare your project down into much smaller, more manageable tasks. This works for other parts of your life as well. Sometimes looking at the bigger picture can overwhelm you, which hinders rather than helps.

If I'm in the writing zone, the last thing I want to do is to look up all the finer details of a character's career or life. Instead, I jot down a few notes in parentheses. That way, I know to go back later and do some research. Unless those little facets which you need to fill in motivate you to write more (some historical photographs can be motivating for a historical writer, for instance), make a note to look it up at a future time, perhaps after the bulk of your writing is done. The muse will thank you, I promise.

But let's focus on the smaller tasks. How can we avoid letting fear paralyze us into a standstill? That's right. Some of writer's block is caused by fear of the unknown, or fear that we're not good enough. We must stop thinking of that project in terms of 'I need to finish my novel', but more along the lines of announcing these small, manageable details aloud. "Today, I will get one paragraph done on that scene I've been putting off." We also have to stop trying to be perfect. Don't edit right now, just write.

Wow...did you give yourself permission to write a paragraph? How about just a sentence? Whatever is possible for you that day, try it. If you're motivated to keep going, then write until you feel the taut string has broken. A spurt of creativity can be exhausting. It's time to rest and start all over again the next day. Or even next week. The key is to avoid placing so much pressure on yourself that you can't function. Ballooning too many goals as a writer can cause it to happen.

I tend to make lists, just to remind myself of what needs to be done. And once I've marked off two or three, I realize that I'm actually making more progress than I realized.

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Goxy Photography, Unsplash.
Try to celebrate each of those smaller tasks that you accomplish. Reward yourself if you can. Maybe by getting that paragraph - or even three - written, you have allowed yourself more time to go read a book for fun. And enjoying the simple pleasures in life will contribute to regaining your motivation in general.

5. Use Your Powers of Observation.

People-watching can be an inspiring pastime, and you don't have to be a stalker in the process. Covertly observing others, perhaps when you're at a coffee shop or shopping in a mall or grocery store, can offer numerous rewards. You will learn about how people actually talk and behave. Therefore, you can add these fascinating details to your story. Casually listen in on conversations - without being creepy, of course. Just observe the way people act, their gestures, and especially any emotions. Maybe they become more elated while talking about something which excites them. Or they raise their voice when they're angry. Little details such as these can inform your manuscript, and it can't hurt to make a note of them.

Try a writing exercise...

Take a conversation you heard or at least that person's behavior, and write a small scene about it. To avoid any awkwardness, you should probably pick something you noticed about a stranger. Describe everything in full detail. See where it takes you next.

6. Don't Be So Stubborn.

Try not to assume you know everything about the latest project you're obsessed with. Maybe what blocked you in the first place is a major plot hole, or you just don't know enough about your main characters to see beyond the spot where you stopped writing. Do some brainstorming to see where else the story can go from here. List possible scenarios. Listen to your characters, see what they're telling you. I find that helps immensely. Maybe the main character is trying to pull you in a specific direction. I am often not fully in control of the whole story, and I know to keep an open mind.

Just don't get bogged down in the 'what if?' syndrome. Trust your gut and your characters.

In any case, I often found that most of my bouts of writer's block had more to do with getting in my own way. And that can be debilitating. It's especially tough when your stubbornness has more to do with those little insecurities we don't like to think about.

"I can't write because I don't know what I'm doing."

Who does? We all start from scratch with writing, and learn along the way.

"I can't write because this genre is too new to me, and readers will notice that."

So? Don't think about the end product right now. Just get the story out. If you really feel blocked, do some research about the genre to give yourself a little  background, then try all over again.

"I can't write because I don't have the time."

Make the time, even if it's five minutes out of your all-too-busy schedule.

The truth is that you're making excuses, and letting the dumb devil on your shoulder do all the talking. Get out of your own way, and jump into the story. Let your fingers write with your favorite pen, or just type without any pressure. Don't even think about where it's all supposed to go. Focus on the task at hand. Eventually, you'll get to the next page, and then the next, and so on and so forth.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice.

Keep practicing with writing prompts or other techniques (or use the story ideas you currently have) off and on until it becomes old hat, until those random ideas for scenes or books start popping back into your head again. Don't focus on just one yet, at least until you're ready to go full force into it. And you'll know when it's time to return to your manuscript, unless you already have. The trick here is to try to recover your passion for writing again.

If you're still at a loss, I'll throw out another writing prompt here.

You discover your new neighbor is actually from another planet. How did you find out, and what will you do next? Use first person or third person point-of-view. Feel free to write a story, an essay, a poem, or whatever medium you like to answer this prompt. Add the piece to your journal. Wait a week, then go back and reread it to see if you notice anything worth saving for a story idea.

Hope that helps! :)

Feeling stuck? Consider the aforementioned solutions to bring back your writing mojo.

Blogger Bio

picture of author Marie Lavender

Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love, and 18 other books. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. An avid blogger on the side, she writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She also contributed to several anthologies. Though Marie has standalone titles on the market, her current published series are The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series, The Misfits Series, The Blood at First Sight Series, and The Heiresses in Love Series. but she has many others planned. Her Victorian maritime romance sequels are returning, and the second editions of the trilogy will be released soon under her new publisher, Foundations Books. Discover more about her and her work at the following links.

List of Links:

https://linktr.ee/marielavender1

 

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age book spotlight here.

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6 Methods to Find Your Own Unique Writing Style by Joel Foster

9/6/2021

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Six Methods to Find Your Own Unique Writing Style:

 a guest post by Joel Foster

 

 

Writing does not come easy to many people, and it can be hard to write down thoughts on paper. As prolific writer Stephen King said, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

 

For extra inspiration, we highly recommend any writer reads On Writing by Stephen King. Many of his films can also be watched online to get a collective taste of his style of plot writing.

 

Where to start is always the biggest hurdle writers face. As you begin, set the intention to write in your own voice as if you are speaking to someone instead of writing.

 

In this article, we’ve put together some methods that will help anyone find their unique writing style.

 

Write about What You Know

 

The best way to finesse your own unique way of writing is to write about something you know well. It can be about a hobby, work, friends, or anything you are knowledgeable about.

 

Write about subjects that you know best. You won't have to research the topic, and the words will flow from your mind to the paper. This way of writing ensures that your voice will be the only one in the article.

 

You can use this as practice until you find your own writing style. Just like we all don’t speak the same way, we don’t all have the same voice when we write. When writing about a hobby, pick a very specific part of that hobby and write about it in detail.

Photo by Rirri on Unsplash depicting a scrapbook with pictures

Photo by Rirri on Unsplash

 

Write about Experiences

 

Writing about experiences is another excellent way to practice writing and finding a unique writing style. Pick any experience from your life and write about it. It can be a non-fictional account of something you experienced with all of the details.

 

It can also be turned into a creative fictional story. Just by picking an experience from your past, you can embellish the story, add characters and write what you feel. When it comes to writing, imagination can be a powerful tool.

 

Many successful fiction writers take parts of their life experiences to use in their creative writing. Use people that you have known and use them in your stories. For example, J.K. Rowling based Professor Snape after a chemistry teacher she had in school years before she wrote the Harry Potter series.

man looking through microscrope credit to photographer Lucas Vasques on Unsplash

Photo by Lucas Vasques on Unsplash

 

Describe a Scene

 

Everyone sees a scene or a picture differently. Write about a scene outside the window, or find an image and describe it in your own words. Describing a scene or picture helps you find your own unique way of writing.

 

picture of a path in a park with an overhang of large trees source credit photographer Pat Whelen on Unsplash

 Photo by Pat Whelen on Unsplash

 

A picture might evoke different memories or emotions in each person. When a writer describes a picture or scene, that person's emotions and memories will be a part of the description. Make it as descriptive as possible. The better the description, the more a unique writing style will emerge.

 

Talk in Your Writing

 

Writing should be just like talking to someone. Just because it is a written work doesn’t mean the tone of vocabulary has to be changed. When you write about your experiences or describing something, write about it as if you were explaining it to someone sitting across the table from you.

 

group of friends sitting at a table talking in a restaurant source credit photographer Jessica Da Rosaon Unsplash

Photo by Jessica Da Rosa on Unsplash

 

 Write as if you were talking to a friend. You wouldn’t talk down to them, be dull or feel you have to use complex vocabulary for the sake of it. The narrative would be descriptive. Most people don’t talk to a friend or a group of people using big words that have to be looked up in a dictionary. And writing should be the same way.

 

Freewriting

 

Freewriting is sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind. It can be fiction or nonfiction. The point of this exercise is to sit down and write. Most writers like to set a time limit, but other writers write until they finish their thoughts. Those that use a timer use freewriting as a warm-up, before more focused writing. Freewriting can be done every day. A great resource is Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, which encourages a practice called Morning Pages where you freewrite in the morning as a way to unlock creativity.

 

picture of a young woman writing in her journal on her bed likely in the morning light source credit photographer Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

 Photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash

 

Writers use this freewriting technique to come up with new inspirations and ideas. What you write can be as crazy as you like. It’s amazing how many new ideas can come out of this exercise! Freewriting is usually fast since there is no pre-planned topic to write about, just what comes to mind.

 

Freewriting is also an excellent way to overcome writer’s block. There is no need to worry about grammar or spelling. When finished, look over what was written. There could be nuggets of gold in there! Or, you might find you like the way you've used certain words in sentences. Using free writing will help writers find their own unique style of writing.

 

Read Out Loud

 

Reading your work out loud is much better than just seeing the words on paper. You will hear your style of writing and how you formed the sentences and the words you use. When you hear something you don’t like, change it until you do.

 

By hearing your words, you will learn to recognize what sounds good and what doesn’t. Experiment with different sentences, phrases and words. This is how to develop a unique writing style. Read books to see how other writers have developed their own particular style of writing. Some of the best writers are also avid book readers.

 

Guest Blogger Bio

 logo for Kill the Cable Bill depicting a dollar sign spinning around a TV

Joel is a freelance writer who writes about entertainment, novels, technology, business and film. 

 

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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How to Make Your Characters Believable by Stefan Vucak

7/26/2013

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How to Make Your Characters Believable:

a guest post by Stefan Vucak

 

 

People are quirky, unpredictable, emotional, and often cannot be relied upon. Governed by the environment within which they live, knowledge accumulated over years of learning, whether formal or through personal endeavor, and simply interacting with others, an individual is a complex matrix of what it means to be human. Above all things, people are self-centered, always looking for that angle which will make them come ahead—that quick fix to bypass the necessary hard work in-between. That’s why we gamble.

 

Standing on a busy street corner, waiting for the lights to change so I can cross, I am bemused by the sight of pedestrians hurrying, dawdling, or completely distracted with faces buried in a smart phone crossing the other way. There are tall people, skinny ones, some not so, Caucasian, Asian; all sorts. Some are wearing smiles, while others scowl, and there are those who seem to be stooped like they are bearing the load of the world on their shoulders. The teens skip gaily, chatting to each other and laughing, looking on us oldsters as incomprehensible cubes, wondering what all the fuss is about.


So, what’s with the philosophical sideline? Believe it or not, there is a point. Purse your lips and ask yourself if you have really looked at a stranger lately, and simply from his appearance tried to work out his personality, social status, mannerisms, identifying marks? If you can see them, does he have brown eyes or blue ones or green? Is his face round, square, long, gaunt, plump? Does he walk with confident strides or is he hesitant, his eyes darting suspiciously as he pushes through the crowd? Is he carrying anything? If so, what is it? Does it help you identify him? On an instinctive level, do you like him or do the hairs on the back of your neck tingle at the sight of him?


Are you starting to get the broader picture? Do you observe people or does the mass of humanity simply slide past your consciousness as you hurry across the street, your mind focused on whatever it is you need to do? Finishing that chapter you’ve been struggling with, perhaps? The struggle caused because your main character, and maybe the whole cast, is somewhat two-dimensional, a nobody, and you cannot quite figure out why? Then again, you might be thinking: I don’t need to describe my characters; the story is good enough to carry them. You could be right. You could also be wrong, you know.


Deciding how to portray characters in your writing can be a contributing factor in producing a great book, or something that’s okay for a once off read. Every book has two basic components: action sequences and characters who do the action or have action done unto them. Many books rely on action alone, and some do it with superb craftsmanship. Others get into a character’s mind and never let you leave it. That can be entertaining and enthralling—if done well. But how can you tell whether your characters are genuinely alive and real? Simple, really. Think of a recent book you have read and ask yourself this. Do the characters stand out? If so, why? Or are they cardboard cutouts who cannot utter a coherent sentence? It is an instinctive thing anyone can spot. Unfortunately, many writers can spot it in someone else’s book, but are unable to see it in their own writing.


All right, how do you make your characters believable? Before you even start writing that epic, you need a detailed outline, a story skeleton on which you’ll hang the words. Part of writing that outline will require that you line up your cast and stare at them, then pick those that will star in your book. Think of a casting director for a movie. Your cast will be determined by the type of book you are writing. Is it a love story, a techno thriller, a murder mystery, a convoluted spy thriller, a tearjerker? Are you looking for action men, sleuths, hard-boiled gumshoes, sleazy womanizers, or just mean guys? What does this process do for you? Whether you realize it or not, and you should, you are taking a first step toward making your characters believable. You are thinking of them as individuals with personalities.


To make every member of your cast a living person, you need a police profile that goes something like this:


- Height

- Weight

- Complexion

- What color eyes

- Does he chomp his food, or is he a dainty gentleman

- Does he swear

- What is his normal behavior: tense, relaxed, awkward, sharp…

- Special mannerisms, use of phrases, habits…


I think you are starting to get the idea. Why such a profile you might ask? For one thing, it will crystallize that character in your own mind. Whenever you write about him, the character will always behave consistently, true to himself. Any deviation will not be looked on favorably by your readers. There is nothing more irritating than reading on one page the character is five foot ten, and later, he is six feet two, or something like that. You may never employ all of the character’s profile in the book, so why bother? What this does is makes the character live, which is the important thing. He becomes a close friend, or an enemy. You will like him or you won’t. Either way, you will know this character, and so will your readers. If someone asks you to describe your sister, brother, mother or friend, you can readily spew out the words with hardly a pause. In the same way, you must be able to handle your characters in your writing.


Remember that cardboard cutout? He is a cutout simply because the writer doesn’t know him. He is a complete stranger, and he comes across as such to readers. That’s all there is to it. Well, there is a bit more, of course. That more being the dialogue.


You cannot handle a novel with a character not having to say anything—unless he is a Robinson Crusoe. Since there are no more unoccupied coral islands where someone can get away from it all and clam up, your characters will have to say something sometime. What they say and how they say it will go a long way toward making them real and believable, or two-dimensional cutout dummies. Some writers can handle dialogue with natural skills, while others agonize. How do you master dialogue? Grab one of your favorite books and check the dialogue. Why do you like it, and does your dialogue come anywhere close? If not, what can you do about it? That’s simple, but involves some sweat on your part. You are a writer, right? So, practice writing dialogue until it becomes second nature. Never mind about what, just write. Think of the last conversation you had with someone and write the ensuing dialogue. When you read it, does every aspect of that episode come through? And I am not talking only about what was said, but how it was said, what emotion was displayed, gestures, tone of voice, hidden meanings. If what you have written doesn’t match your memory, you obviously haven’t got it right. Give the piece to the person you had the conversation with and get his feedback.


If you have read this far, you are right to point out that there is much more to making your characters believable, but I hope I got you thinking and looking at your characters in a new light. By the way, get a professional editor to go over your writing. An impartial pair of eyes can do wonders for your novel.

 

Guest Blogger Bio

picture for author Stefan Vucak 

Stefan is an award-winning author of eight techno sci-fi novels, including With Shadow and Thunder which was a 2002 EPPIE finalist. His Shadow Gods Saga books have been highly acclaimed by critics. His political thriller, Cry of Eagles, won the coveted 2011 Readers Favorite silver medal award, and his All the Evils was the 2013 prestigious Eric Hoffer contest finalist.   

Stefan leveraged a successful career in the Information Technology industry and applied that discipline to create realistic, highly believable storylines for his books. Born in Croatia, he now lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Links:

Website:  http://www.stefanvucak.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StefanVucak

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/stefanvucak 

 

Shadow Gods Saga:  Series Link

 

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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Interview with Author DJ Swykert

7/22/2013

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My guest today is DJ Swykert. Hello, DJ! Welcome back to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here again.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?
book cover image for The Death of Anyone a mystery thriller novel by DJ Swykert depicting a beautiful dead woman lying on the ground with a film noir impression on the gray background and book title  

My new book, The Death of Anyone, introduces readers to a DNA search technique not in common use here in the U.S., Familial DNA. A lot will be written on this subject as the real life trial of Lonnie David Franklin, The Grim Sleeper, unfolds in California this year. The book also introduces a new character for me, a female homicide detective. It's not the first time I've written from a female POV, but she's the first in this role. I’m hoping the book will appeal to an even broader audience than Children of the Enemy, or Alpha Wolves. There is a romance along with the mystery in the plot and some real science.

The Death of Anyone was released by Melange Books in Minneapolis the end of February. It’s available at: Melange Books, Lulu, Amazon, and Bookwire.

Is there anything that prompted your latest book? Something that inspired you?

I first heard about Familial DNA Searches while working as a 911 operator in 2006. It came up in a conversation with officers. I thought at the time it would make an interesting premise for a book. I began writing the mystery some three years later after leaving the department. I had just finished editing a first draft of The Death of Anyone in the summer 2010 when news of The Grim Sleeper’s capture in Los Angeles was released. I read with interest all the information pouring out of L.A. regarding the investigation and the problems confronting prosecutors. All of which are explored in The Death of Anyone.
 
This sounds fascinating!

So, when did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?

I don’t know if I ever actually 'decided' to be a writer. I remember the first thing I wrote, a bad poem to a pretty girl, I was a teenager, and Tennyson’s "Flower in the Crannied Wall" gave me the idea to try my hand at poetry. I still recite Tennyson’s poem. I think my desire to try writing novels came from reading them, in particular Hemingway and Fitzgerald, and when I was younger, Mark Twain. I simply enjoyed the storytelling, and think I inherited a little storytelling ability from my grandfather, who was really good at spinning a tale. 

My grandmother did the same thing.  LOL. 

Do you have any favorite authors?

I’ve already kind of answered this; Tennyson, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Mark Twain. You can add Byron, Auden, Chekhov and Annie Proulx to the list. Oh, hell, there’s a host of great writers, my list could go on for pages. But these always have stuck in my head. 

I know what you mean.  I have WAY too many to count.  

So, do you write in a specific place? Time of day?

Currently, I write mornings on a desk in the garret, as my girlfriend calls it, on the third floor of our townhouse. But I’ve written just about anywhere I can find something to write with, even on a bunk in the Houghton County Jail, er… that was just once, for a short while on a traffic violation. 

Are there any words you'd like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?

Keep typing, and submitting. I believe in the old Hindu saying: Given enough time, coincidence is inevitable. There is a measure of coincidence in finding a home for your writing. You have to have skill, a good story, but also some luck. You can improve your odds by applying The Law of Large Numbers, which allows prey species to survive by reproducing in large numbers. Your writing can survive in the same way, get it out there, and keep putting it out there. Be productive. And keep your fingers crossed.

Good advice. 

So, readers, here is the the blurb for The Death of Anyone.

Detroit homicide Detective Bonnie Benham has been transferred from narcotics for using more than arresting and is working the case of the killer of adolescent girls. CSI collects DNA evidence from the scene of the latest victim, which has not been detected on the other victims. But no suspect turns up in the FBI database. Due to the notoriety of the crimes a task force is put together with Bonnie as the lead detective, and she implores the D.A. to authorize an as yet unapproved type of a DNA Search in an effort to identify the killer. Homicide Detective Neil Jensen, with his own history of drug and alcohol problems, understands Bonnie’s frailty and the two detectives become inseparable as they track this killer of children.

Here's an excerpt from The Death of Anyone. 

Benham arrived first, no sign of Russo or Jensen. She got a table and told the maitre de to send them over when they arrived, and that there would be a third party, a Detective Lagrow. As he seated Benham, the maitre de informed her, “The show starts at about 12:30 pm. We have a couple of new dancers."

Benham screwed up her nose, gave him a curious eye. “Dancers?”

The maitre de nodded. “Yes, belly dancers. We have a new one I’m sure your friends will appreciate. She’s very good-young, friendly.”

Benham just shook her head. ”I’m sure they will,” she said as she sat.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Whoa, the brake in her head told her. You know you, you know your history. You know what a slip can do to you. Doctors, psychologists, treatment, rehab, counselors, AA, each and every one of them flashed across her head as her mind absorbed the offer. “Just a coke, or, actually, would you just bring me a black coffee.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Benham sipped her coffee and looked through her brief notes of the case. They were very brief, there was little to put in them. A young girl, perhaps ten, dead, strangled, almost for certain assaulted, lying in an alley for a few hours. And it had only been a few hours—Pierangeli seemed pretty sure she hadn’t been there long. She was found at around nine-thirty am, so she died maybe around eight am. She lay there, choked, defiled, beautiful, and dead, and nobody was looking for her. She had to have been taken pretty early this morning, so it’s been about five hours she’s been gone, and nobody loves her enough to miss her. Benham could feel the anger rising from within, from the source where feelings come from, from deeper but inclusive of the stomach, from the birthplace of emotion.

A hand touched her shoulder and startled her. “Me and Jensen are here, bring on the dancing girls,” Dean Russo bellowed, joyous almost, and that irritated Bonnie a little. There was nothing to be happy about this day.

“You’ll get your wish. The belly dancers will be here in a few,” Benham said, with a bit of obvious disdain that Russo picked up on.

“You picked the place.”

“Yeah, I know,” Bonnie answered, feeling a little sorry now she sounded so disapproving. “Yeah, I picked it. Didn’t think about belly dancers, but, hey, we’re here, and I love pastitio, and they have the best. Sorry if I sound pissy, it’s only because I am. Once you see the girl, you won’t be dancing in the street either.”

Russo quit laughing. “How long you been in homicide, Benham?”

Bonnie could see she rubbed something, “A couple of months.”

“You were in narcotics?”

“Yeah, I was in narcotics. I was in it and it—I was narcotic.”

There was a pause. Jensen looked across at Russo, glared a little, trying to shut him up with a look. And out of the corner of his eye let Bonnie know he saw her, too. He wanted her to keep this cool.

But it was a little late, and Bonnie was a bit volatile. “You know fucking well I was in narcotics. And you fucking know why I’m in homicide. I got myself transferred out for becoming more narcotic than narc. Quit beating around the bush. What’s your point?”

Universal Reader Link:  https://books2read.com/u/4A52gA

 

Author Bio
  photo of author DJ Swykert

I’m a blue collar person from Detroit. I’ve worked as a truck driver,dispatcher, logistics analyst, operations manager, and ten years as a 911operator, which was the very best job of them all. I write stories like you’d watch a movie and put them down on paper. I have written in different genres; crime, romance, literary and The Death of Anyone, which is a
mystery/suspense story with romance and science in it. 

The last sentence in my writing bio is always: He is a wolf expert. I am not a biologist. I raised two arctic hybrids, had them for eleven years, and have written two books in which the wolves join the other protagonists. 

I have been fortunate enough to have my writing appear in: The Tampa Review, Monarch Review, Sand Canyon Review, Zodiac Review, Scissors and Spackle, Spittoon, BarbaricYawp and BULL. The other books I have written are Children of the Enemy, a novel from Cambridge Books, and Alpha Wolves, a novel by Noble Publishing.

Links:

Blog: www.magicmasterminds.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/david.swykert?ref=ts&fref=ts

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=193494247

Other Links:  http://www.gypsyartshow.com/2013/03/the-death-of-anyone-by-dj-swykert.html

http://www.omnimysterynews.com/2013/01/please-welcome-novelist-dj-swykert.html

 

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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