Tag Archives: tips for writers

Always Tell the Truth, Even When You’re Lying

Posted on July 9, 2026 by mitchteemley

Photo by Thom Milkovic Tips for Writers Always tell the truth, even when you’re lying. Um, what? Most of us are familiar with the Blind Men and the Elephant story. Its point is twofold: No one has a complete picture, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Culture, Humor, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Writers: Here’s How a Colon Works

Posted on August 5, 2025 by mitchteemley

Tips for Writers Colon [ˈkōlən] – Noun – A punctuation mark (:) used to precede a list of items or words. Also useful as a means of eliminating unnecessary words. Illustration: Note: My Real Memoir will be back next week. … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Writers: How to Use Dramatic Reversals

Posted on July 17, 2025 by mitchteemley

Source: The Phoblographer Tips for Writers Dramatic tension is the key to an engaging storyline. Or even an essay or blog post, for that matter. This takes the form of rising action, a series of reversals–escalating problems or crises–that must … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, The Wishing Map, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

I’ve Found the Cure for Writer’s Block

Posted on February 22, 2025 by mitchteemley

This is one possible cure. But there’s a preferable one below. Tips for Writers There are two definitions for “block”: 1) an obstacle to be avoided; 2) a material to be used (as in construction). The cure for Writers Block … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

You Can’t Always Give What You Want

Posted on February 8, 2025 by mitchteemley

Tips for Writers Writers, you’re probably thinking, “Well, of course. When I’m creating characters and storylines, my primary source of advice is always the Rolling Stones. Or maybe not. But Jagger does have a point. Don’t build a conventional dramatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Popular Culture & Entertainment, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Writers, It’s Time to Sin Boldly!

Posted on January 30, 2025 by mitchteemley

Tips for Writers Martin Luther famously said, “Sin boldly, but believe more boldly still!” In other words, if you’re going to do something, don’t do it by halves! While editing my novel, I became aware that I’d overused the phrase … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Story Power, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Here’s Why You Need to Learn to Love Editing

Posted on December 19, 2024 by mitchteemley

Tips for Writers Man, I love the smell coffee in the morning. But I didn’t always. I started drinking it because of what it could do for me–keep me alert during my first year of college. But then I gradually … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Tips for Writers: Dynamic Writing!

Posted on July 31, 2024 by mitchteemley

BAH-da-da-DAHHhhh! BAH-da-da-DAHHHhhhh! Even if you’re not a classical music fan, you know the iconic opening from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Beethoven is the pin-up boy for one of the most important of all creative techniques: dynamics. In a nutshell, dynamics is … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Beta Readers Needed!

Posted on May 31, 2024 by mitchteemley

Dear friends and subscribers: It’s a been a long time coming, but I’ve finally reached the stage with my novel Healing River, based on my own multi-award-winning feature film, where I’m looking for beta readers. Your pre-publishing feedback will help me … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Videos, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Make Your Own Mistakes!

Posted on April 18, 2024 by mitchteemley

I’ve started work on my new novel Fifty Shades of a Wimpy Kid on a Train Where the Crawdads Sing. This is a very personal story for me, and I deeply resent any suggestion it’s derivative of other works. Next … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 39 Comments