Writing Writers Who Write: Discussing the Craft of Writing
No one said writing for a living would be easy.
Of course, no one told you how completely undervalued that vital career would be. To learn the skill of writing one must be ruthlessly honest and fearless when presenting that truth. But how do you master the craft of writing? How do you find your voice, your audience, your niche? How do you deal with rejection, criticism, and self-doubt? How do you balance creativity and productivity, passion and profession, art and commerce? These are the challenges that every writer faces, whether they are beginners or veterans, amateurs or professionals, hobbyists or entrepreneurs. This blog is here to help you navigate the complex and rewarding journey of writing for a living. You will find practical and inspiring advice, success stories and lessons learned, tips and tricks, resources and tools, and much more. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, poetry or prose, blogs or books, this blog is for you.
Fallacies & Rhetorical Devices: Thank You for Smoking
Vincent Triola
2 Minute Or Less Read Time
How rhetoric uses indirect argument, emotional appeals, and rhetorical questions to convince the audience. Despite the lack of concrete evidence or counterarguments, audiences are receptive to these persuasive techniques, demonstrating the power of rhetoric in influencing opinions and the importance of critical analysis to avoid being misled by flawed reasoning.
CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ From the Authors & Chapter 1
In “CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ From the Authors & Chapter 1,” readers are invited to join Vincent Triola and Terry Trueman on a candid and witty expedition into the heart of writing ambition. With a blend of satire and realism, this opening chapter delves into the elusive nature of ‘making it’ in the literary world, challenging the notion of success with humor and a touch of cynicism. The authors’ introduction and the dream-like narrative of Chapter 1 promise a series that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ Chapter 2
In the second chapter of “CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD.,” the narrative takes a deeper dive into the paradoxes of ‘living the dream’ as a writer. Authors Vincent Triola and Terry Trueman blend satire with sobering truths, exploring the highs and lows of creative success. This chapter promises to entertain and enlighten readers with its candid portrayal of the writing life and the ephemeral nature of ‘making it’ in any field.
CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ Chapter 3
In this third installment, “CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ Chapter 3” takes readers through a thought-provoking exploration of the writing profession’s less glamorous side. Authors Vincent Triola and Terry Trueman use satire to highlight the contrast between the idealized dream and the awakening reality that faces aspiring writers. This chapter promises a mix of laughter and learning, as it provides a candid look at the challenges and revelations encountered on the path to authorship.
CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ Chapter 4 & Author's Note
“CHEATERS INC. & DUMB LUCK LTD. ~ Chapter 4 & Author’s Note” presents a compelling narrative that strips away the romanticism of the writer’s life. Vincent Triola and Terry Trueman delve into the gritty details of what it really takes to chase a dream and the lessons learned along the way. This chapter, coupled with the author’s personal note, provides an intimate glimpse into the craft of writing and the often-overlooked truths behind the aspiration of authorship.
Why Writing With Terry Trueman Is a Bad Idea
Vincent Triola
3 Minute Or Less Read Time
While team-based writing can yield significant gains, it simultaneously brings forth various obstacles and annoyances that can render the task strenuous, even for expert collaborators.
A Complete Guide to Understanding & Using Rhetorical Analysis
Vincent Triola
13 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writers can improve their ability to influence their audience by studying how different media, like film, writing, symbols, and speeches, communicate and shape meaning. This is the goal of rhetorical analysis.
Good Reasons Why Writers Write & Shouldn't Write
The author’s writing focuses on the universal human experience, capturing its essence and representing the experiences of their readers. Their goal is to speak for all through their writing. In an unforeseen development, it turns out that the author isn’t just writing to hear the sound of their own keyboard. They’re capturing the essence of the human experience and speaking for us all. Who knew that writing could be so altruistic?
Leprechauns: The Modern Iteration
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
In Irish folklore, a leprechaun is a magical being who looks like a small, bearded man in a green coat and hat. He can grant wishes or have a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Unlike other mythical creatures that have been transformed by different media and cultures, such as vampires, the leprechaun has stayed true to its original form. The difference between the old story of “The Adventure of Fergus son of Léti” and the new film “Leprechaun” illustrates how the leprechaun has changed, but also how it has kept its essential characteristics.
Streamline Your Writing: A Pleonasm Survival Guide
Vincent Triola
8 Minute Or Less Read Time
Pleonasms are words or phrases that add no new meaning to your sentences, making them wordy and redundant. They can weaken the impact of your writing and make it less engaging for your readers. To write concisely and impactfully, you need to avoid pleonasms in your writing. This article will teach you how to spot and remove pleonasms, how to avoid common pleonasms, and how to use editing and proofreading to eliminate pleonasm.
Online vs Traditional Education: Where will you best learn?
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
How to Compare Online and Traditional Education: A Guide for Students. Discover the differences and similarities between online and traditional education, and what factors to consider when deciding which one to pursue.
Death of the Centaur in Modern Literature
Vincent Triola
7 Minute Or Less Read Time
The article discusses the role and significance of centaurs in literature, reflecting conflict between humanity and inhumanity, and the loss of this symbolism and meaning as the centaur transformed into an motif of science fiction and fantasy in modernity.
The Power of Narrative: A Comprehensive Guide to Defining Narratology
Vincent Triola
8 Minute Or Less Read Time
Uncover the secrets of narrative structure and its significance in various forms of media. Dive into the depths of narratology and explore the groundbreaking theories of Mikhail Bakhtin, revolutionizing the way we understand storytelling.
Boost Your Creative Writing Skills with Action-Packed Gerunds, Adjectives, & Adverbs
Understanding Gerunds, Adjectives, and Adverbs: Unleash the Power of Action in Your Writing: Unlock the secrets of action-packed writing by mastering the art of gerunds, adjectives, and adverbs. In this article, we delve into the mechanics behind these linguistic tools and how they can transform your storytelling. From using gerunds to infuse your writing with movement and energy to leveraging descriptive adjectives to create vivid scenes, and harnessing the power of impactful adverbs to amplify the emotions of your characters, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the skills to craft compelling narratives that leave a lasting impression.
How to Embark on The Write Journey to Writing Success
The challenges and requirements of becoming a successful writer. Learn the importance of dedication, hard work, a practical perspective, and the role of luck. Aspiring writers, get tips such as reading extensively, writing with purpose, editing ruthlessly, and seeking feedback. Overall, the author encourages writers to embrace the journey and believe in themselves.
Exploring Human Existence: Writing from an Existential Perspective
Vincent Triola
7 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing as an Existential Act: The Art of Creating One’s Own Essence
This article introduces the reader to the existential perspective in writing, which emphasizes the importance of
individual choice and action in defining one’s own identity and purpose. The author shows how existentialist
writers use their writing as a way of exploring and expressing their own views on human existence, without relying
on any external authority or system. The author also addresses the difficulties and paradoxes that existentialist
writers face, such as the fear of the absurd, the tension between freedom and commitment, and the relation between
human and divine.
Why you won't sell books on Social Media
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
Beyond Likes and Followers: Unraveling the True Impact of Social Media Advertising
In this thought-provoking piece, the author challenges the notion that books can be sold effectively through
social media. Drawing on personal experiences and observations, the article underscores the importance of
understanding the unique ways in which different individuals interact with social media platforms that makes
selling books ineffective on these sites.
Why Selling Cheap Books is a Bad Idea
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
This article aims to educate authors on the pitfalls of selling cheap books online and the best practices for pricing their books. It explains the distinction between marketing and economics, the influence of Amazon’s algorithm, and the significance of quality over quantity.
Unleash Your Creativity: Mastering the Art of Writing with Inverse Language Techniques
Inverse language techniques can transform your writing from bland to brilliant. Find out how to apply this technique to create stunning sentences that will impress your audience. This article will teach you the benefits, examples, and tips of inverse language.
Adverbs: Misunderstood, Abused, & Powerful Tools
Learn how to master the use of adverbs in your writing. You will discover why adverbs are not always the enemy and how they can enrich your language and storytelling. You will also see how adverbs can help you create realistic and lively dialogue that captures your characters’ personalities and emotions.
Why Authors Need a Website
Vincent Triola
10 Minute Or Less Read Time
Successful writers today do not rely on books as their sole means of earning. Modern authorship radically evolved in the last thirty years with the advent of the internet making websites a necessity to generate engagement. In this article, you will learn why you need a website and some of the pitfalls of not having and developing your site.
Education: The Cheater's & Fortunate Son Perspective
Education as a business may distort the goals and incentives of education. Commodifying academics as a business may influence choices and behaviors of both educators and learners that are not conducive to genuine learning and innovation. Educators are encouraged cut corners and other practices intended to cater to the demands of the market. Students engage in unethical practices such as plagiarism or cheating since they pursue pursue education for instrumental reasons, such as obtaining a diploma, earning a certificate, getting a job, or obtraining a higher salary, rather than for intrinsic reasons, such as curiosity, passion, or interest.
Strategies to Handle Publisher Rejection & Not Give Up The Writing Dream
Publisher rejection can be a painful and discouraging experience for writers, but it doesn’t have to be a fatal one. Discover the best ways to handle publisher rejection and not give up on your writing dream. You will learn various strategies and mindsets that can help you deal with rejection, learn from it, and move forward with confidence and resilience. You will also learn how to understand the publisher’s rationale and improve your chances of getting published.
How to Deal with Writing Pet Peeves & Learn from Them
As a writer, you know how rewarding and creative writing can be, but you also know how frustrating and challenging it can be. You have probably encountered some of the pet peeves that plague writers, such as grammar fanatics, plagiarism, clichés, and unrealistic expectations. You will explore how to handle these irritations and use them to enhance your writing abilities.
The Social Journalism Conundrum & Why Medium is Doomed
Vincent Triola
19 Minute Or Less Read Time
Despite appearing to be an ideal platform for publishing, Medium is actually hindered by technological biases within social journalism. Medium’s content ranking system is not impartial and fails to provide a level playing field for all writers. There exists a credibility issue in Medium (social journalism) stemming from its failure to be truly 'social' due to its biased content ranking system. The problems with Medium’s pay model and its impact on writers and readers. Medium’s system creates an unsustainable membership of more writers than readers. With some creative thinking and the implementation of traditional journalism strategies, Medium’s problems can be resolved.
Time to Shit Readers, Medium!
Terry Trueman
10 Minute Or Less Read Time
How to gain more readers on Medium? Easy, just follow these simple steps:
~Forget everything you learned about good writing. Grammar, punctuation, research, originality, none of that
matters on Medium. Just write whatever comes to your mind, preferably something controversial or sensational.
~Spam your followers with claps, comments, and shares. Don’t worry about the quality or relevance of your
interactions, just make sure you get noticed by as many people as possible. The more you annoy them, the more they
will pay attention to you.
~Copy and paste other people’s content. Why bother creating your own when you can just steal someone else’s?
Medium doesn’t care about plagiarism or ethics, as long as you generate traffic and revenue. Just make sure you
add some emojis and gifs to spice it up.
There you have it, the ultimate guide to gaining more readers on Medium. Follow these steps and you will be a star
in no time. Good luck! 😂
When I Started Publishing on Medium
When you start writing on Medium, it’s fun but soon devolves into a lot of work to get people to read your stuff. Soon you realize all effort is in vain because no one is even reading. Like a ship lost at sea, writing on Medium starts off as an exciting adventure, but soon devolves into a desperate struggle to be seen.
A Tribute To Education's Teaching Heroes & Studious Learners
How one C student became and author and another C student earned a living selling term papers. Celebrating lazy students and teachers. Learn how to coast through academics without giving a shit in this critique of the education system. Luck will make you a published author and resentment towards teacher will make you a hack writing success.
When All Else Fails, Talk About Sex to Get More Traffic
Terry Trueman
10 Minute Or Less Read Time
This humorous and sarcastic article mocks the common practice of using sex as a way to attract more readers and viewers to online content. The author claims that sex is the ultimate marketing tool, and that he has decided to use it to boost his blog’s popularity. He then proceeds to write a series of absurd supposedly sexy stories.
Learn to Deal & Not Deal With Writing Critics
Do you think it’s important for writers to read articles before commenting on them? Some of the worst critics are writers and readers who don't read, and unsurprisngly, most have achieved no fame. Learn how successful writers deal with critics and commenters, especially fellow authors.
Writing: Losing Friends & Enjoying The Emptiness
Writing is a double-edged sword, providing a source of joy and pain for writers. Writing can help authors express themselves, explore their creativity, and communicate their ideas to the world but also exposes the harsh realities of life, such as criticism, rejection, and true friends. Learn to enjoy the isolation.
How to Avoid Pedantic Editing & Create Original, Stylish Writing
Vincent Triola
15 Minute Or Less Read Time
Editing is an essential part of writing, but it can also be a source of conflict and stress for writers. Editors and critics often impose arbitrary rules and limitations on writers, who feel trapped and restricted in their writing. Explore how to edit your work effectively without compromising your creativity, and how to break the rules and create your own style.
Men Trembled ~ None Believed the Myth of Writer Immortality
Unexpectedly, being an author doesn’t grant you immortality. Who knew that aging and fading into obscurity was just part of the human condition? How being an author doesn’t make you immune to aging and being forgotten. Question their own motives and expectations for writing, and try to appreciate the joy and value of writing for its own sake.
Exploring the Depths of Human Experience
Terry Trueman
7 Minute Or Less Read Time
An author reveals how his writing is influenced by what has happened and what is happening in his life. He talks about his struggles with publisher rejection, his love for his dying dog, and his advice for aspiring writers. He urges writers to be fearless and truthful in their work, and to write what they are afraid to say.
Writing isn’t some mystical mystery
Terry Trueman
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
Exploring the themes of legacy, reputation, and self-delusion through a mix of personal anecdotes, poetry, and introspection. The author invites readers to consider the power and purpose of writing.
Wounded Writer Fledglings & Not Them
Terry Trueman
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing online is a way of creating something that lasts, but also something that is ephemeral. Online writers know that their writing will not last forever, and that can make them feel sad and lost, especially when they write about people they care about. But they also know that writing can help them deal with mortality and appreciate life, and that can make them feel joyful and strong.
Thank god for typing with two fingers
Terry Trueman
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
At times, being simple is beneficial. I compose writings about you and the collective human journey, endeavoring to seize the truth in an understandable way that speaks universally.
Writing's Struggles & Joys - Advice From an Old writer
Terry Trueman
8 Minute Or Less Read Time
An honest, raw account of the struggles and joys of being a writer and a call to action for young writers to embrace their voices and write without hesitation.
More Urbane Witty Successful Writing Shit
Terry Trueman
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
If you want to make your writing funny and powerful without betraying your craft, here are some tips that are easy to say but hard to do. Don’t worry, they won’t make you sound like a clown or a dictator.
Some Basic Calisthenics to Better Writing
Terry Trueman
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writers, push those keyboards and pull those notebooks to explore the best ideas when exercising your creativity and imagination. Don’t let the distractions of the world interfere with your training. Focus on shaping your work into artistic excellence.
Writing, Making Music, Painting, & Other Ego Trips
What do you do when a guitar guy crashes your party and tries to impress everyone with his mediocre skills? Do you ignore him, tolerate him, or confront him? In this humorous article, the author tells us what he did when he faced such a situation and how he gave the guitar guy a taste of his own medicine.
Genre Fiction: The Plight of the Escapist
Vincent Triola
9 Minute Or Less Read Time
If you’re an aspiring writer wondering about the differences between genre and literary fiction, this article is a must-read. Learn why some literary fiction writers may view genre fiction as less meaningful, and what that means for your own writing.
Tricks to the Existentialist Trade
Terry Trueman
7 Minute Or Less Read Time
Terry Trueman uses the contrast between existentialism and nature to show his perspective on writing and life. He also uses humor and irony to make his point more engaging and relatable. He challenges the reader to question the value and relevance of existentialist philosophy, and to appreciate the simple and concrete moments of joy and wonder that nature offers.
How to Write a Story That Comes True by Lying to Yourself
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
How do you create a believable and engaging story? Learn a valuable lesson from a guy who lies a lot, and how he used that lesson to improve his writing skills. Find out how to use POV as a rhetorical device that adds meaning and depth to your story.
Persuasive Writing: The Key to Successful Writing
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a way of convincing others to read and believe what you write. Learn why persuasion is the primary goal of writing, regardless of the genre or topic. You will learn how to determine your writing's persuasiveness with examples of how persuasive writing works in different forms and genres of writing, such as history, science fiction, fantasy, and racism.
Thinking first-person POV is lazy writing isn’t wrong — it’s stupid.
Vincent Triola
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
How do you choose the right POV for your story? Is first-person POV always lazy writing? POV is not only a matter of preference, but also a powerful tool that can enhance your story’s message and impact.
How Ignoring Theme Ruined the Asexual, Female, Blue Alien Story
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
Why theme is essential for fiction writing, and how ignoring theme can result in poor worldbuilding and character development. The author uses an example of a story about an asexual, female, blue alien who falls in love with a human pilot and saves the Earth from destruction. The author criticizes this story for being unrealistic, clichéd, and inconsistent, and argues that the alien character is a poorly conceived savior archetype with no thematic purpose. The author also suggests some ways to improve the story by adding a theme that relates to the alien’s asexuality and the human’s sexuality, and how that affects their relationship and their views on humanity. The author concludes by stating that theme is the foundation of fiction, and that writers should always consider the theme of their stories before they start writing.
Learn to Write Mosaic Poetry To Improve All Verse
Vincent Triola
3 Minute Or Less Read Time
Improve your free verse poetry by learning to write mosaic poetry. How creating mosaic poetry, in which each syllable rhymes, teaches rhythm and improves free verse poetry by developing meter and a better ear for rhyming. Improving poetry requires having a command of rythm and rhym, which ultimately makes free verse more engaging since many techniques overlap.
How to Stop Undermining Your Writing with Faux Humility
Vincent Triola
9 Minute Or Less Read Time
Exposing the harmful effects of faux humility on writing and learning. Some writers use self-effacing rhetoric, such as “I am not an expert, but…” or “This is just my opinion, but…”, to avoid taking responsibility for their opinions and arguments, and to escape criticism and feedback. Qualifying words undermines their credibility and authority, and also prevents them from improving their skills and engaging in meaningful discourse with others. Writers should be confident and assertive in their writing, and use facts, logic, and evidence to support their claims. Seek the truth rather than confirmation of beliefs.
How Writing Teaches You: The Craft and the Lessons
Vincent Triola
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a way of learning about yourself and the world. In this article, you will discover how the craft of writing teaches you by perpetually teaching, resolving, and articulating your perceptions. You will learn how writing helps you to develop your critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. You will also explore how writing can enrich your personal and professional life by enhancing your self-awareness, empathy, and confidence.