Which Comes First, Plot or Characters?

Karin Kallmaker Craft of Writing

This debate always interests me, as I know people on both sides of the divide. Personally, I don’t see it as chicken or egg, but rather primordial ooze, spontaneous mutual creation. For me, some projects are wholly organic while others start firmly with an idea of general themes. Read More

wood desk with typewriter vinyl record scrabble tiles paint and music

Off the Top of My Head – Character Building Exercise

Karin Kallmaker Craft of Writing, Kiss That Counted

ON THE PAGE

What If, What If, What If…

I know I fall into the more intuitive approach to creating characters and it’s a relief to know I’m not alone! I do take note of how different the strategies seem to be between those who write short stories, standalone novels and series. Read More

golen pens and ink on notebook

Is the Mainstream “Success”?

Karin Kallmaker Business of Books, Craft of Writing

 I find that writers write for different reasons. I know a few who write in complete abstract, with hardly a thought about the end reader, which is so foreign to me I feel as if we’re a different species. Many may pen a book without a thought as to who might publish it, while others may target their creativity to a given publisher and that publisher’s targeted readers. Read More