Story Embers | Lori Z. Scott | Activity https://storyembers.org/members/lorizscott/activity/ Activity feed for Lori Z. Scott. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:38:32 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en 30 hourly 2 662b19a6a768fc7a115b5bfee2b730ce Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=150728 Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:00:24 -0400 5 Lies Imposter Syndrome Tells Writers (and How to Fight Back) I often see writers deprecating themselves on social media. Or hesitating to share their work. Imposter syndrome—the belief that you’re not good eno […]

]]> 45713ab50e61a0fb62b18468f540f23e Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=159466 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:00:38 -0400 A few summers ago, I attended a Christian writing retreat. The event gifted attendees a mug with Psalm 48:14 printed on it: “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end” (NI […]

]]> 7d1910cbe9bb23f186dd318219d6764c Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-develop-unmistakable-speaking-styles-for-your-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-12863 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:29:27 -0400 Yay! Thank you for your kind words. I’m happy you found it helpful.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post “Help you, I will.”   As soon as you read those words, I bet an image of Yoda from Star Wars popped into your head. Every writer hopes that their characters’ voices will be just a […] ]]> 2a46163f0811287ec261d48af6a618f4 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=158102 Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:00:33 -0400 So, you dream of writing a children’s book. And not only do you believe you have a premise that will entertain, bring laughter and joy, or make an impact on developing minds, you have a passion for reaching k […]

]]> 36289d45ac0d6ccf2a9aaa0798b93e65 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=157245 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 21:00:45 -0400 If you’ve ever compared a first draft to a final manuscript, you know that writers rarely produce a sellable novel the instant they type “The end.” They need to make time consuming and tedious changes to turn […]

]]> 9944d4f5d4948fa1ea0aaa343197d1ea Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=156544 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:00:39 -0400 I wish reality obeyed the rules of a fairy tale, rewarding every protagonist with a happily-ever-after at the end of a season of growth. But our world is a shambles, and monstrous problems bloat every crack. Gun […]

]]> 6ef20a7186372762565812fcd806cc3d Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=155878 Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:00:52 -0400 Fiction is my wheelhouse, my first and last love, my comfort zone, the place where I shine. So, when I noticed Story Embers’ Instagram advertisement for an article writer, I scrolled past it. I couldn’t be the per […]

]]> bd4a5e113a92751bcead5cfb014f7a94 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/3-tips-for-writing-your-first-historical-fiction-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-11896 Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:45:05 -0400 Have you considered writing the story from a different character’s POV? Someone who perhaps admired the character that died and tried to carry out his vision even after his death? It would be a lot of work, but just throwing it out there.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Have you ever come across an incident from the past so packed with intrigue that your mind kept returning to it? Do you approach parts of history—the Oregon Trail, Egyptian p […] ]]> f792d8e6d8bbfacf49006397784a7a32 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=152505 Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:00:25 -0400 Have you ever come across an incident from the past so packed with intrigue that your mind kept returning to it? Do you approach parts of history—the Oregon Trail, Egyptian pyramids, Hurricane Katrina—with a vol […]

]]> 156c24516ccb1e47be8c443b1b7c9a27 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=152389 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:00:22 -0400 Every genre, from suspense to contemporary, requires a leap of faith from readers to be effective. They know that the yellow brick road running through Oz doesn’t exist. Yet they pick up Baum’s classic and bec […]

]]> 7068a627866803086aea112800168b20 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=149724 Thu, 14 Apr 2022 14:00:14 -0400 Worldbuilding is a term that’s usually associated with sci-fi and fantasy. However, as an author of contemporary fiction, I’ve discovered that I can borrow principles from those genres to provide vivid bac […]

]]> ed4f758d77bf1562e9c24903630c880d Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/4-tips-for-writing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-11599 Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:15:18 -0400 I’m so glad you found encouragement here. Keep writing! God will use every lesson you have earned.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […] ]]> a4d6b8d6bebcfb1f10b6100e32f8788c Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/4-tips-for-writing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-11600 Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:15:17 -0400 I love your vision. May God bless your endeavors!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […] ]]> 33231809500aaf9aef30c08fea8b7b58 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/4-tips-for-writing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-11601 Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:15:14 -0400 Yay! I’m glad my words encouraged you. See how God works?

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […] ]]> 9a562d40c3cd958703f26ed2493707db Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/4-tips-for-writing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-11587 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 19:13:51 -0400 Amen! Glad these authors were able to touch your heart.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […] ]]> d7cc9426c397b51ebb6b9e9a228a759d Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/4-tips-for-writing-with-a-chronic-illness/comment-page-1/#comment-11588 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 19:13:49 -0400 Kristiana is an amazing person. I love her books, but I especially love her outlook on life. I’ll pass your comments on to her.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Typ […] ]]> 14d8ccc33c3eb07beecad20a61a080c4 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=148967 Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:00:56 -0400 As Joseph Campbell once said, “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” The seeds of this article came from my own experience with chronic illness. Type 1 diabetes sometimes aff […]

]]> e47ac1625e171f09a7a27a5aa5866d4b Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=148049 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:00:01 -0400 I hate romance. But I love it too.
 
I know that’s contradictory. If I ranked my favorite genres, my list would go something like this: fantasy, sci-fi, adventure, and suspense, with romance so far at the bo […]

]]> d87deb97aaf7cb7a39f66b48b0281c10 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=146386 Mon, 03 Jan 2022 14:00:01 -0400 I recently signed a contract for a young adult novel, and my publisher set up a meeting with a literary agency to strategize the promotion of my book. The savvy ladies I spoke with offered a smorgasbord of […]

]]> 6ed8fe489faeac41d766803f72035baa Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=146284 Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:00:00 -0400 “All around, there were monuments carved with armorial bearings: and on this simple slab of slate—as the curious investigator may still discern and perplex himself with the purport—there appeared the sembl […]

]]> 98bb8fc8332af5774b8d096396537694 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/suffering-writers-dont-need-more-optimism-they-need-more-opportunities-to-strengthen-others/comment-page-1/#comment-9844 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:43:06 -0400 Writing through the pain is a remarkable path to healing sometimes. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth installment in our five-part series on renewing storytellers’ souls. To learn why we’re doing this series and how we’re approaching the top […] ]]> cfc58c5c198ea4c3d4e28eed5cf54f20 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/suffering-writers-dont-need-more-optimism-they-need-more-opportunities-to-strengthen-others/comment-page-1/#comment-9843 Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:43:05 -0400 I also have a chronic illness, so I understand some of what you are dealing with. I’m sorry it has kept you from writing, but remember that God is full of surprises. He can take all our heartache and draw good from it. As I wrote in my upcoming YA novel, sometimes it’s the scars that make us beautiful.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth installment in our five-part series on renewing storytellers’ souls. To learn why we’re doing this series and how we’re approaching the top […] ]]> cfb4358c3429d24d0a8068a53b8f7494 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/suffering-writers-dont-need-more-optimism-they-need-more-opportunities-to-strengthen-others/comment-page-1/#comment-9604 Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:22:21 -0400 What an amazing testimony. Glad your firecracker is doing better and still shedding light in the world. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth installment in our five-part series on renewing storytellers’ souls. To learn why we’re doing this series and how we’re approaching the top […] ]]> 4cc8eb7f5aecacbee1e40c496455c0c7 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=143339 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:00:14 -0400 Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth installment in our five-part series on renewing storytellers’ souls. To learn why we’re doing this series and how we’re approaching the topics, read our introdu […]

]]> 44b6db8539da198d134116d117f7bb2c Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/5-stylistic-choices-you-need-to-stop-making/comment-page-1/#comment-8712 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 05:26:36 -0400 Thank you!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post If you could just, like, cut a few things from your most recent draft that would totally make your writing so much better, would you go to the effort to do it?   Excuse me, that […] ]]> 27b04098f5431725833bd930d510d614 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/5-stylistic-choices-you-need-to-stop-making/comment-page-1/#comment-8711 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 05:26:34 -0400 I’m glad you found it helpful! Yay!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post If you could just, like, cut a few things from your most recent draft that would totally make your writing so much better, would you go to the effort to do it?   Excuse me, that […] ]]> f252926de2bd1f30a2445e073620183f Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/5-stylistic-choices-you-need-to-stop-making/comment-page-1/#comment-8710 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 05:26:30 -0400 Wow! What an insightful comment. The tips I suggested helped me improve my prose, and it was my goal to pass those on. However, you make some valid points. I tip my hat to you!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post If you could just, like, cut a few things from your most recent draft that would totally make your writing so much better, would you go to the effort to do it?   Excuse me, that […] ]]> d1ce56b5b958c2b06464e22a4ee54e7b Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=142414 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:00:32 -0400 If you could just, like, cut a few things from your most recent draft that would totally make your writing so much better, would you go to the effort to do it?
 
Excuse me, that sounded awkward. Let me try […]

]]> 00ab622694917890eccb743f5743a596 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-overcome-3-common-fears-writers-face-with-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-8084 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:37:36 -0400 Perfect! Good luck. Story Embers uses the hashtag #embersgram and you can find them at @story_embers. You might find some accounts you can connect with there.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post For many writers, joining social media is like a waiter serving you a whale for dinner and telling you to eat it by closing time. The task is overwhelming.   At conferences, in […] ]]> b97f07cede640923e7c981c6c7783b51 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-overcome-3-common-fears-writers-face-with-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-8083 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 05:37:29 -0400 You do a great job connecting with people! 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post For many writers, joining social media is like a waiter serving you a whale for dinner and telling you to eat it by closing time. The task is overwhelming.   At conferences, in […] ]]> 7a9662492eb2dc28303376df80faf286 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=137013 Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:00:25 -0400 For many writers, joining social media is like a waiter serving you a whale for dinner and telling you to eat it by closing time. The task is overwhelming.
 
At conferences, in critique groups, and during […]

]]> 69e19d342047e426cc56a369f9e2df83 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/should-you-write-childrens-fiction-for-the-christian-or-general-market/comment-page-1/#comment-7998 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:38:20 -0400 Wonderful! Thanks for reading it. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post As we stumble along in Jesus’s footsteps, we want the stories we craft to be a source of light to our broken and chaotic world. But we don’t own a corner on the lane of cre […] ]]> 7bd4fbea43c2ecbac0737f984711f159 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=136687 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:00:41 -0400 As we stumble along in Jesus’s footsteps, we want the stories we craft to be a source of light to our broken and chaotic world. But we don’t own a corner on the lane of creativity. We share the space with hun […]

]]> 5e23a85d355eb67180d65843479a4491 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/the-scene-goal-playbook-4-ways-to-drive-your-plot-forward/comment-page-1/#comment-7935 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 20:48:42 -0400 Thanks for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Offensive line coaches in football think strategically. While they may love a quick score, they don’t expect a touchdown without a fight. Instead, they develop a series of plays w […] ]]> a2fa075871a2bfead49740828b55c015 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=136354 Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:00:41 -0400 Offensive line coaches in football think strategically. While they may love a quick score, they don’t expect a touchdown without a fight. Instead, they develop a series of plays with a singular goal: to advance t […]

]]> ff65c6c5ce59572dfccaf4d0ef25322e Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/3-creative-ways-to-choose-the-theme-for-your-next-novel/comment-page-1/#comment-7350 Fri, 28 May 2021 21:22:22 -0400 Amusing stories! Two amazing authors. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Robert Wise, the American film director of The Sound of Music, states, “You can’t tell any kind of a story without having some kind of a theme, something to say between the lin […] ]]> b3dca8ddf15b38372260ddfdc9bb812e Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-develop-unmistakable-speaking-styles-for-your-characters/comment-page-1/#comment-7144 Fri, 14 May 2021 04:06:17 -0400 Sometimes I just can’t help myself, I guess. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post “Help you, I will.”   As soon as you read those words, I bet an image of Yoda from Star Wars popped into your head. Every writer hopes that their characters’ voices will be just a […] ]]> dbb02b884acc61392663a530c4977d4c Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=133797 Mon, 10 May 2021 14:00:06 -0400 “Help you, I will.”
 
As soon as you read those words, I bet an image of Yoda from Star Wars popped into your head. Every writer hopes that their characters’ voices will be just as unique and unforg […]

]]> fe4cb8c4573032d8bfc7346977764179 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=126443 Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:00:01 -0400 A few summers ago, I visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Every little detail—the buildings, layout, animatronics, costumes, food, and music—whispered authenticity. As I explored, I g […]

]]> f2f49709bfeae0e36f564e60088f5ba7 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/cant-finish-your-novel-the-problem-may-be-your-midpoint/comment-page-1/#comment-6615 Sat, 13 Mar 2021 20:49:50 -0400 Thank you for your kind words! You made my day!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post My son is a skilled storyteller. He has notebooks and online files bursting with magic and mystery. When he visits, I often sit like a child at his feet and beg him to read his latest […] ]]> 0fb6b145b453b7ebb5f37259644f1f14 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/cant-finish-your-novel-the-problem-may-be-your-midpoint/comment-page-1/#comment-6614 Sat, 13 Mar 2021 20:04:23 -0400 Awww! Thanks!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post My son is a skilled storyteller. He has notebooks and online files bursting with magic and mystery. When he visits, I often sit like a child at his feet and beg him to read his latest […] ]]> 5da118cdef16f62a00a0a3cdad8a83d0 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=125771 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:00:57 -0400 My son is a skilled storyteller. He has notebooks and online files bursting with magic and mystery. When he visits, I often sit like a child at his feet and beg him to read his latest chapter. He always indulges […]

]]> 04eab620ddec046052f2564ffc3d70b5 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=124729 Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:00:50 -0400 Robert Wise, the American film director of The Sound of Music, states, “You can’t tell any kind of a story without having some kind of a theme, something to say between the lines.”
 
Between the lines. Did yo […]

]]> 3b5c21bd4dd31324602e001a1428f03d Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-fine-tune-your-pacing-to-craft-heart-pounding-action-scenes/comment-page-1/#comment-6298 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:31:01 -0400 Glad the tips helped! And I love Brandon Sanderson. That man can craft a tale!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Action scenes strap readers in for a thrilling ride—or at least that’s what they’re supposed to do. Every millisecond must be engaging and accurately portray what’s happening. If the […] ]]> 9c5f68d6021e0bc6120bb17929db33d8 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-fine-tune-your-pacing-to-craft-heart-pounding-action-scenes/comment-page-1/#comment-6297 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:30:58 -0400 Thank you, Joelle. You just made my day!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Action scenes strap readers in for a thrilling ride—or at least that’s what they’re supposed to do. Every millisecond must be engaging and accurately portray what’s happening. If the […] ]]> 184a427ceb1e634b406c45042ceb1a68 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/how-to-fine-tune-your-pacing-to-craft-heart-pounding-action-scenes/comment-page-1/#comment-6296 Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:30:54 -0400 Thank you for your kind words, Marie! I do my best. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post Action scenes strap readers in for a thrilling ride—or at least that’s what they’re supposed to do. Every millisecond must be engaging and accurately portray what’s happening. If the […] ]]> 20cf96526e6431d38fb461c0c23a1a51 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=124307 Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:00:06 -0400 Action scenes strap readers in for a thrilling ride—or at least that’s what they’re supposed to do. Every millisecond must be engaging and accurately portray what’s happening. If the action crawls, it loses i […]

]]> 5d86c6a13fd863076607a4a5484df49c Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/3-habits-serious-writers-practice-on-a-monthly-basis/comment-page-1/#comment-6143 Sat, 16 Jan 2021 21:33:29 -0400 Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad the tips helped. 🙂

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post On the surface, writing seems easy. You plop into a chair, uncap a pen or power on your computer, and rack up a word count. Right?   If you’re a hobbyist, that description is ge […] ]]> 4131eb0877ab41c906c6a55c70428ea1 Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post https://storyembers.org/?p=123448 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 14:00:46 -0400 On the surface, writing seems easy. You plop into a chair, uncap a pen or power on your computer, and rack up a word count. Right?
 
If you’re a hobbyist, that description is generally accurate. But, if wr […]

]]> 32d6163712ce65d32137b1e2e7aa3d35 Lori Z. Scott posted a new activity comment https://storyembers.org/2-errors-that-can-sabotage-your-side-characters-and-how-to-avoid-them/comment-page-1/#comment-6050 Fri, 08 Jan 2021 01:17:43 -0400 Wow, Katie, what an insightful comment. I’m glad the article spurred such thoughts. I’m like you– I often gravitate to the side character. (Eeyore was one of my favorites.)
Thank you for sharing.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post When my children were growing up, they performed in the theater. Occasionally they earned starring roles, but more often than not, they played side characters. That didn’t stop them f […] ]]>