The blogosphere is filled with purveyors of writing tips, many of them simplistic, commercialized, or pep-talky. Vermont-based blogger Luc Reid is one guy who knows what he’s talking about. His metier is some common problem in writing fiction, carefully considered and nicely illustrated with stories of his own attempts to cope with the problem. For example, four ways to turn an idea into a story. His latest post on what makes for “quotability” and how you can use that to jazz up the voice of a character is vintage Reid.
These tips are useful because Reid brings the experiences of a true working writer to the task. He writes flash fiction for a site called the Daily Cabal, and he’s published a book, Talk the Talk: The Slang of 65 American Subcultures. A bonus: Everything he writes is finely brushed with self-deprecating wit. Consider what his bio says about his stint as an NPR commentator in Florida: “And I should like to say that it’s a sad thing to believe one’s voice is rich and deep but to find out it is in fact plaintive and piping. May it never happen to you.”
Ted the Cat (1994-present) is a domestic shorthair blogger and vers libre poet. He also enjoys sleeping, eating, and lurking. Ted the Cat co-habits with Kaze,
also a blogger at 317am.net.
