Author Archives: Carolyn Wilker

Concise Writing Have you ever read a text or instructions that were so wordy you wanted to give up? Concise writing is a gift to the reader. One of the challenges of good writing is clarity. While the initial draft … Continued

Using Emphasis There once was workshop presenter whose little promotion book was packed full of text, much of it underlined, bolded, and in italics. It was so packed, I wasn’t sure what to focus on, the words or the emphasis. … Continued

When I began writing devotionals for a publication, the editor said write as many words as you need to… then edit. If you’ve heard the saying “less is more,” it’s true of almost any writing project. But writers usually need … Continued

Fiction This month the Helping Writers Become Authors site offers an article on writing happy scenes. The author, K. M. Weiland, offers weekly newsletters, huge resources, and fascinating material. Recommended by a member of my critique group. I decided to give it … Continued

Learning from Other Writers Have you ever read a book, and marvelled at how the author used words to create a sense of place and emotion that made you want to read that line again? You might think, “Can I … Continued

Writing Fiction Writers know (and mostly follow) basic rules of the craft, but much of how we create grows from personal preference and practice. When it comes to fiction, here are some things that work for me: Between writing sessions, … Continued

Engage the Senses in Your Writing Appealing to the senses is important not just in writing for children but also for teens and adults. In a family story, you might ask yourself: Is Grandma’s hair white and curly? Do her … Continued

As a writer, I’m always interested in books about writing. At a conference bookstore I saw a recommended book that would be a good addition to my collection. Spunk & Bite: A writer’s guide to bold, contemporary style, by Arthur Plotnik, … Continued

There are days where I feel less like a writer and more like an imposter. Do you ever feel that way? You want to write, or you just can’t get started. Today, for example, I need to write my newsletter. … Continued

My granddaughter Ana recently told me about a conversation in French with a guide in the Dominican. We talked about translation tools online, then our conversation morphed to terms we call idioms. I told her about idioms — phrases we speak … Continued