https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-blog.html Creative Writing Blog of Pearl Luke with creative writing tips and ideas, writing contests, contest winners, writing activities and more. en-us creative writing Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:48:45 -0400 Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:48:45 -0400 be-a-better-writer.com https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/participles.html84a66b4a141adc9921eadc2a57fcd91bParticiples: When to use them, when to avoid them in your creative writing. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:14:27 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/clocks-lie.htmlca3bec56f6913aee42ff12f8e6f161a9Clocks Lie, a short story by Alberta writer Wade Bell
Fri, 14 Aug 2020 05:40:29 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/how-to-write-an-autobiography.htmla0cc64470fab3e3a4e5f63b81aac6b39Learn how to write an autobiography that allows you to leave your life story for a son, daughter or other loved one. Basic information to help anyone get started.
Thu, 20 Feb 2020 14:27:04 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/baggage-claim.htmlb7701f5823b6880a7086cbb4b5f4f67bBaggage Claim, a short story by psychologist Kelly Piner
Sun, 16 Feb 2020 12:46:12 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-blog.html#2020-Next-Generation-Indie-Book-Awards-Call-for-Entries5796fd327c3b24517a915cb3dc278c32Calling all indie book authors and publishers - including small presses, mid-size independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors who have a book written in English released in 2018, 2019 or 2020 or with a 2018, 2019 or 2020 copyright date, to enter the most rewarding book awards program. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards offers over 70 Categories - More than 70 Awards – with over 70 monetary prizes totaling more than $10,000 in cash, including $1,500 cash prizes plus trophies for best fiction book and best non-fiction book, $750 cash prizes plus trophies for second best fiction book and non-fiction book and $500 cash prizes plus trophies for third best fiction book and non-fiction book. Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:45:30 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-blog.html#Adventure-Writers-Competition28dfd745b653dec7fbf0a3051afef652The Adventure Writers Competition, sponsored by the Clive Cussler Family, the Clive Cussler Collector's Society, Braveship Books, Venator Media Services and Sven Gillhoolie Publishing is an international competition now in our ninth year. We have one category: Adventure, so any novels over 50,000 words that are in the realm of action/adventure/thriller/mystery - but chocked-full of adventure - are welcome. We do not accept sci-fi, fantasy, horror or young children's books. All fees collected are used to promote the contest, the finalists and the winner. We are a non-profit organization. We are open for entries January 1 through April 30 of 2020. See our website for info on rules and entering. As our finalist judge, Dirk Cussler says: "Get in on the action!" Wed, 8 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/tips-for-writing-a-novel.html65ce94c64381e1460bd00706a3354ab7Top Ten Tips for Writing a Novel from Pearl Luke, author of Burning Ground and Madame Zee Mon, 6 Jan 2020 06:56:17 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/writing-resources.html59d7cffc238b837770058e5109035576Creative writing resources for hours of inspiration, tips, activities, help, and entertainment for creative writers. Sun, 5 Jan 2020 12:42:53 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/writing-mentor.html0985bae21d0ea2da44f8b27f3edb1254A good writing mentor can not only help perfect your writing, but can also teach, offer support and help you find paying markets.
Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:52:28 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/write-a-novel.html3df984f7f1949b758d4c256ac1fd4a04Write a novel alongside a professional and receive regular feedback. Writing a publishable novel means nailing some crucial techniques.
Fri, 29 Nov 2019 07:19:10 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-help.html2bbf5499f7e2dfb8143a1426e8e30147Creative writing help and resources for writers and teachers from author Pearl Luke. Wed, 6 Nov 2019 04:06:40 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/building-suspense.html64ea8b897fe164e1db4d23d04b436d11Building suspense in your stories is key to reader engagement. So which techniques work best? Wed, 6 Nov 2019 04:05:17 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/first-draft.htmld3e80037cae1c95ed49398cf7de19c5dWrite your first draft without stress and writing blocks. Author Pearl Luke provides 8 steps to getting it done. Thu, 1 Aug 2019 09:51:00 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-activities.html826c9ff2e40cbeacc38cf118de3908a6Original creative writing activities for the classroom or workshop Wed, 3 Jul 2019 08:19:13 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/novel-synopsis.html4e46fb5b454ce0a5fee1bbc649818a48A novel synopsis, written always in the present tense, will reduce 90,000 words to fewer than five pages as interesting as the original. Tue, 2 Jul 2019 11:53:58 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/campie.html796fc30abc77290c305d373908c9e5daCampie, by Barbara Stewart: An intriguing memoir about working in an Alberta oilfield camp Mon, 24 Jun 2019 07:28:42 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/what-is-creative-writing.html046e605bfc14dfbcb98a3836eaa55295What is Creative Writing? This question might best be answered by showing, not telling, as in the three creative writing examples here. Sun, 23 Jun 2019 05:39:34 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/story-starters.htmlfa94bee82fd3f4b8088627355fe59c9cInspiring story starters for adult fiction writers. See how professionals start their stories and create interesting first lines of your own. Sun, 23 Jun 2019 04:46:59 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/writing-revisions.html2f05932d1725725a15b44024cfdd62aaWriting Revisions: Work on them as you write, or wait until you finish a draft? Advice from Pearl Luke, author. Sat, 22 Jun 2019 15:55:10 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/cliches.html2adb060da0ed9d9d495cc2e22a165214681 Cliches to avoid in your creative writing. Wed, 19 Jun 2019 13:04:26 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/writing-process.html481e99720fdc314bac8d25bcd60263d1The creative writing process is personal. Real writers write, and they don't give up until they succeed. Wed, 19 Jun 2019 11:46:14 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/passive-verbs.html707caed0d012d3968e33c2f0a423d725Passive Verbs: How to avoid them and use 'was' and other 'to be' verbs correctly when you must. Wed, 19 Jun 2019 06:14:09 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/book-writing-tips.htmlb8ff12b27e605d732e431c5dd944b8a4Book Writing Tips for Serious Writers Who Want a Career Writing Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:59:28 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/becoming-a-writer.htmlb034242e217d327ec720a3018e6b39ebCreative individuals often ask if becoming a writer is difficult. The answer is no. If you want to become a writer, it is within your control to become one. Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:17:15 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/autobiography-outline.html70cc9ad18f46e056a0372a8faca7a745This bare bones autobiography outline template uses two key failures and a success, the classic three-act dramatic structure. Tue, 18 Jun 2019 12:24:53 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/tight-writing.html9d934aa7b6b54118a4d5f756f65c6d94Editors demand tight writing, and anything less will not be read. Learn how to cut fat and self-edit. Sun, 16 Jun 2019 07:54:26 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/do-i-need-a-writing-course.html839a598e24cdf405e2298be12f558b83Is it necessary to attend writing courses in order to improve writing style. Having just got one rejection for my novel I feel I need some guidelines as Wed, 5 Jun 2019 12:54:51 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/which-creative-writing-program-do-you-recommend.html42c96e1dce7cb142c5f1f6ffb3244d61Pearl: I am a beginning fiction writer and I am interested in getting a creative writing degree to better prepare me for writing novels. What Canadian Wed, 5 Jun 2019 10:53:17 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/fiction-rejections.htmlf546442d1ed3e59f1dff94b2aa7fd6ebI was interested in submitting my story to your website, but apparently I'm well over the Max limit for the character count. I was interested in gettting Tue, 4 Jun 2019 06:23:35 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/how-to-organize-all-my-writing-pages.htmla43fd6739a3b94d35dcddb52179c2097As I write, more of my story is revealed. How do I pick a direction or explore a new direction without getting lost? Also, I'm having trouble keeping Tue, 4 Jun 2019 06:17:39 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/carolyn-pledge-amaral.htmle9c9315926d4bcf96f682a6ff8cc984eCarolyn Pledge Amaral Wins for her humorous and intriguing story about divorce, The Root of the Matter
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 08:10:16 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/best-reads.htmle463aaefa7f86ebff15849086d70289eBook clubs will enjoy these best reads
Tue, 4 Nov 2014 15:12:14 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/who-by-fire.html595b359d7a5facc008ec353ca101a536Who by Fire is a story with weight and heat, an absorbing and finely nuanced novel from an author unmistakably in his writing prime. It drills straight to the heart. Tue, 28 Oct 2014 00:45:14 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/writing-feedback.html54ecd4de440def9f6fb49d344e6fba69The sample writing feedback here is an abbreviated version of a manuscript evaluation, which normally provides 6 to 10 pages of feedback. Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:21:56 -0400 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/can-a-short-story-collection-be-changed-to-a-novel.htmld37de6edfc764b9d15d420688f60297dHave you ever moved a short story collection to a novel successfully? I have tried for years to publish my story collection and received the same response Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:24:34 -0500 https://www.be-a-better-writer.com/author-as-publisher.htmlb991cfac8d95a057dbf9141f634aa104I'm at the tail end of writing my final draft and was looking for a publisher and came across many obstacles. things that first time authors often endure, Mon, 11 Nov 2013 23:44:17 -0500