I have been fortunate to write guest blog posts before for SFWA on science, and my latest one is on using the psychological science utilized in video games to help you meet your writing goals. The link to it is below. I hope you enjoy, and as always, please do reach out to me directlyContinueContinue reading “Video Game Psychology for Writers: Achieving Writing Goals through Gamification”
Author Archives: gideonpsmith
Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft
For writers especially, reading isn’t just about enjoyment; it’s a powerful tool for us to refine our craft. But how do you do this? When you read like a writer, you should delve deeper into the mechanics of storytelling, character development, and language use. Here’s some tips people have shared with me, on how toContinueContinue reading “Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft”
Creating Your Own DIY Writers Workshop
There are lots of different kinds of writers’ workshop. Some are intense 6 week in person retreats whereas others are an hour or two at a writers convention. Some are focused on novels, some on short stories, some on specific aspects of craft. And though there are many commercial versions (Clarion, Clarion West, Viable Paradise,ContinueContinue reading “Creating Your Own DIY Writers Workshop”
Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert
As I prepare to go to Readercon next week, this topic is heavily on my mind. Speaking personally, as an introvert, attending writing conferences can be both exhilarating and exhausting. They offer invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and gaining insights into the publishing world. Here are strategies to make the most of a writing conferenceContinueContinue reading “Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 3 (Reviews)
When I originally wrote this blog post it ended up too long for a single post, so I have split it up into ‘groups’ as I think of them, and will post them in sequence. Today, Reviews. If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are going to have toContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 3 (Reviews)”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 2 (Critique Partners and Beta-readers)
When I originally wrote this blog post it ended up too long for a single post, so I have split it up into ‘groups’ as I think of them, and will post them in sequence. Today, Critique Partners and Beta-readers. If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are goingContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 2 (Critique Partners and Beta-readers)”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 1 (Family and Friends)
If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are going to have to share that work in some way with other people. Whether that is reading it to your kids, letting your significant other take a look, your best friend, your writing group, strangers on the internet with whom youContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 1 (Family and Friends)”
Breaking Writer’s Block
I don’t really get ‘writer’s block’ but I do have problems with inertia at the start of writing sessions sometimes. Freewriting on something other than what you intend to write, or in a form (poem, list, computer program, crossword, etc) can sometimes unshackle the muse. So today, as I am blocked, I will now demonstrateContinueContinue reading “Breaking Writer’s Block”
Elevate Your Stories: Embracing Creative Vision
When we compare our holiday snapshots of majestic landscapes to the breathtaking masterpieces captured by photographers like Ansel Adams, it’s easy to feel a sense of inadequacy. Yet, if that’s all we see in the comparison we’re missing the most important point. Ansel Adams did it his way. But you too have something to offer.ContinueContinue reading “Elevate Your Stories: Embracing Creative Vision”
Types of Dialogue in Fiction: Enhancing Characters and Plot
Dialogue is the lifeblood of fiction, injecting vitality, depth, and personality into characters and stories. It’s a versatile tool that can serve various purposes, from advancing the plot to revealing character traits and emotions. Dialogue can serve several different functions. Expository Dialogue: This type of dialogue serves to convey information to the reader in aContinueContinue reading “Types of Dialogue in Fiction: Enhancing Characters and Plot”
Gideon P. Smith 