Writing Bad

In reading numerous works on the writing process and receiving advice from other writers based on their own personal writing habits, I have heard numerous renditions on what up-coming or potential writers must do to cross the threshold into actualized writers. These examples tend to take a dogmatic approach to the process. For example, an established writer will say one, absolute method exists in order to write, which usually just happens to be the method that particular writer uses.

Being a writer is hard. Nobody denies that. It is one of the toughest, most unforgiving career paths one can choose, and at the end of the day, only the strong (and lucky) survive. But then, why do people still do it? This collection of creative, nonfiction essays written by a diverse range of published authors gives the reader an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a writer, to travel through their most memorable Eureka! moments and most devastating rejections.

I’m an editor, and recently I couldn’t resist calling out an error in a library book. When I posted about it on Facebook, I was overwhelmed by comments with people’s grammar peccadilloes. People who read often get annoyed about errors in published material. Their ire made me retire my own. However, it also brought up—not annoyance, because I get paid to fix mistakes—a screaming head full of chronic errors. Here, I will list the most common 21 grammatical errors that drive readers nuts.

“Come on, Jack. Where did you hide that horrible looking grandfather clock?”  Janice asks, staring at the spot where it had stood for nearly 30 years in our dusty old house. My grandfather had warned me to wind it every week, otherwise this might happen, but I kinda’ got distracted this week, what with the move and his funeral. “I didn’t hide it! It just vanished!”  I reply confused, wondering if I left the key in the door of the damn glass cabinet before I followed her calls.

Steve watched his mom hastily tossing papers into her work bag. She had that frantic look about her that meant an emergency had occurred at the office and she’d be pulling an all-nighter. His fingers tugged nervously at the faux leather vest of his pirate costume. “Where are you going?” He asked, already knowing the answer. “I have to run into the office. Dan called. There’s an uproar in Michigan,” his mom replied, stuffing her laptop into the bag. “But tonight is Halloween.

Published by Writing Bad Writing Bad started off as a writing support group on Facebook founded by author Jade Cinders on January 10, 2017. Writing Bad was founded with the sole intention of creating a friendly environment where writers of any skill level would feel comfortable to share, learn, and grow. We support constructive criticism and respect at all times, no matter what. We hope to continue to expand to include accessible writing conferences, educational material, and more.

Writing Bad is proud to present this compilation of children’s stories written by children. Take a moment to delve into the fictional worlds of animals across the world. Whether you’re journeying with a serval from Africa or fighting the world’s one and only, Bubble Monster, you’re sure to fall in love with this short story anthology. Each author presented within these pages is age 16 and under, giving a unique form of storytelling only the innocence of childhood can conjure.

According to the Internet, Mark Twain advised writers to “write what you know.” He then proceeded to write about Tudor subculture in England and other things well beyond the horizons of personal knowledge. And he did it very, very well. It’s still good advice, though, in its way. A writer who has spent time serving in the Navy is better placed to write a story set on a submarine than a writer who’s worked in a hospital or school.

Writing dialogue isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t come natural to all writers. Here are some basic Dos and Don’ts for writing dialogue to help you refine your dialogue-writing skills. Do write dialogue. Whether fiction or memoir, essay or even poetry, direct speech can help draw the reader in. Which of the following sentences is most inviting to you as a reader? 1. (a) She told Dennis not to look out the window. (b) “Dennis,” she said. “Don’t look out of that window.” 2.

Here’s a little story, “How to Write Nature Poems,” that first appeared in Hey Mrs. Winkler as part of a series of meta-fiction micros. Hannah wrote stuff about nature. Not poetry, exactly—just stuff. She’d walk through the rain and ask what the rain was doing. She would climb hills and wonder why the heather chose that place to live. She’d smell the chemical distress of wind-ripped leaves or sense the joy of insects riding air. “Well, you can always improve,” said her family.