ARCHIVE FOR The Editors at Dead Darlings

Last month we were feeling all the feels at the DeadDarlings office. The ups and downs of hope. The agony of waiting for replies. Awkward conversations and high praise. Here's to the ride...and using it all to improve your character(s).

The Lightside of Dark
Julie Carrick Dalton helps us look Through the Eyes of an Antagonist. 

Nothing ain't worth nothing, but it's free. Nealy 50 musicians have recorded that line and the rest of the classic country hit "Me and Bobby McGee." From Kris Kristofferson, who co-wrote it, to Janis Joplin, who made it famous, along with Johnny Cash, Olivia Newton-John, The Greatful Dead and Pink; each artist made it their own. This past month at DeadDarlings we had to turn away from the political speeches and turn up the Joplin to find that spirit of freedom, diversity and love.

It’s time to make your move. Roll the dice, hit the dance floor, pens to paper just get started! Over at Dead Darlings we’ve been looking carefully at the things that move us. 

The wheels on the bus

Cara Wood shared the winning 1-page contest entry from Craft on Draft: Writing Fiction from Real Life selected by authors Dawn Tripp, Michelle Hoover and Emily Ross for its vivid details taken from the very real MBTA No. 1 bus.

The pace on a page

How to Write a Page-Turner: Pacing Essays & Novels is Lisa Birk’s tactical guide …

“And they’re off!” Last month more than 26,000 Marathon runners crossed the finish line in Boston. Meanwhile, the Dead Darlings team was setting pace on that other long distance trek — writing the novel. Whether you are at the starting line, somewhere in the middle, or at home, in the tub, counting your blisters — we’ve got advice on how to cover those pages.

Take a walk with us. Last month the Dead Darlings team wandered the earth, summoned divine spirits, unearthed some ghosts and muttered magical incantations – all in pursuit of better writing. Here are some tips on how to make your words go the distance – in this world and the next:

X Marks the Spot
Lisa Birk looks at the importance of setting in Without Geography You’re Nowhere.