Story Embers | Rachel Leitch | Activity

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 20:14:36 -0400

I am notorious for erring on the side of brevity. This article was just what I needed in my drafting right now!

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post Every once in a while, I drown in a book. The words form into currents that surge up and over me before I can hold my breath. I not only visualize the character’s situation, I f […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:29:46 -0400

This is brilliant! Will definitely be incorporating into my stories.

In reply to - Mariposa Aristeo wrote a new post Love triumphs over all. Dreams come true. Believe in yourself. These messages and more color the plots of books like a stained glass window, helping us see the world in various […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 14:51:59 -0400

This over editor is very thankful for this article!!!

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post I have a confession: trying to find the right words takes me ages. I obsess over sentence structure, vocabulary, and descriptions, pouring my time and energy into the black hole […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 21:31:10 -0400

Thank you so much! I’m preparing to write a romance short story for an anthology contest, even though I’m not much of a romance reader myself. So this article came just in time!

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post Have you ever loved a relationship more than the characters in it? Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Right were likable on their own, but their dynamic was so compelling that both of them […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 01:43:36 -0400

I’m not a huge romance fan either, but I’m hoping to enter an anthology contest for romance stories, so this article was just in time!

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post 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, wi […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 18:57:36 -0400

Thank you so much! Your encouragement means a lot.

In reply to - Story Embers wrote a new post By Rachel Leitch London, 1928 Mother’s favorite waltz warbled from the corner of the garage. I must have left the phonograph on a few hours ago, before the party. Beh […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 18:57:34 -0400

Aw, thank you so very much!

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 06:56:52 -0400

I remember reading this a few years ago but it’s such a good reminder!

In reply to - Rose Sheffler wrote a new post The Biggest Lie We Believe about Strong Female Protagonists Strong women, as they’re portrayed in a lot of fiction and films, have a problem. They act like men (albeit hot men with c […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 07:33:45 -0400

Needed this! This is one part of marketing that has completely mystified me and I hadn’t been able to find any practical resources until this article.

In reply to - Lori Z. Scott wrote a new post 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 […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 06:00:09 -0400

This is the post I needed! I’ve been wanting to tackle these tricky subjects and diversity, but wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. This cleared up a lot of things and made me feel empowered to write stories about these topics that will change and comfort readers.

In reply to - Brandon Miller wrote a new post Abortion. Homosexuality. Feminism. Race. Border politics. These topics dominate the news, and fiction needs to accurately portray our world, but how do we write with caution and […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:43:08 -0400

Always a great reminder! This is an area where I want to get stronger.

In reply to - Daeus Lamb wrote a new post What makes a character come alive? Writers have been asking this question for ages as they attempt to convince readers that little markings on a page are actually living, […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 13:07:24 -0400

Definitely convicting! This is one area I really want to do better.

In reply to - Josiah DeGraaf wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the second 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 […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 13:07:22 -0400

This was so interesting and something I might not have come to on my own. Definitely challenging.

In reply to - Martin Detwiler wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the third 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 […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 21:41:14 -0400

Thank you so much! All of these are lies I deal with in writing as well as other areas of life and I desperately needed this. I especially lived how you pointed out it’s more complicated than just labeling those voices stupid and that God will love us no matter what we do.

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post Editor’s Note: This article is the final installment in our five-part series on renewing storytellers’ souls. To learn why we did this series and how we approached the topics, rea […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 23:14:52 -0400

Aw, thank you so much! That means a lot.

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 23:14:51 -0400

Thank you so much!!!

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 20:25:11 -0400

Congratulations, everyone! Fantastic job!

In reply to - Brianna Storm Hilvety wrote a new post Thanks to everyone who courageously shared their work with us! We received entries that were whimsical as well as touching, in a wide range of styles and lengths. After many […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 20:25:09 -0400

Congratulations, Natalie! You did a fantastic job.

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 07:15:34 -0400

Beautiful job! This was different than the genres I normally read, but I lived reading it! Your description is so vivid and gorgeous, and I could hear and see the characters in my head.

In reply to - Story Embers wrote a new post By Dani Renee Brown leaves battered Mr. Cotter’s beat-up truck as he pried open its door. He shook his head. How much time had withered since he last drove it? A year. He si […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:23:38 -0400

I enjoyed reading all these different ideas! So many fantastic tips, and like you said, many that I wouldn’t have come up with on my own.

In reply to - Daeus Lamb wrote a new post Are your characters flopping over like wet cardboard? Is your plot fizzling in the middle or bouncing around without direction? Maybe the problem and solution is simple: you need […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 01:33:35 -0400

These are such great reminders! I wish I had known some of these rules earlier in my writing. Telling emotions especially–I find that one even in published novels sometimes. It’s sneaky. 😝

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 […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:11:53 -0400

Definitely true! I am part of Kingdom Pen’s Dragon Slayer challenge right now, and that point about your why as a writer is something that I’m experiencing right now, finding it through these articles I’m writing. I would love to submit to you and was really excited to hear that it was open!

In reply to - Mariposa Aristeo wrote a new post You probably think that fiction and nonfiction are on opposite sides of the equator—and I would say that you are absolutely correct. Each have different sets of rules, audiences, a […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 23:46:40 -0400

So very encouraging and just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing!

In reply to - Story Embers wrote a new post By Abbi Langille Have you ever been tempted to tear pages from your notebooks, toss the crumpled wads into the trash, and vow to never write again because it isn’t worth yo […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:12:46 -0400

Thanks for sharing! I’m starting an editing and critique business soon and this was very helpful.

In reply to - Gabrielle Pollack wrote a new post Somewhere along the road, every fiction writer will be asked to participate in a critique. It’s practically a guarantee. Whether you’re new to critiquing or are alre […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:22:56 -0400

So good! I will be using these tips in my editing! Definitely a life saver for my rough drafts (and other drafts, too).

In reply to - Allison Raymond wrote a new post After I finished the draft of my first full-length novel, I eagerly sent a copy to a friend for feedback. Much to my dismay, she flagged one of the most important scenes: an […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 05:53:24 -0400

Thank you for the tips! Ironically, I am a die hard planner but more of an organic theme creater. I’ll have a vague idea at the beginning of what my theme is, but it takes the first draft to zero in on it

In reply to - Allison Raymond wrote a new post Theme is a hot topic among writers. From elementary school to university courses, teachers ask students to identify the messages that literature tries to communicate. Writing blogs […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 26 May 2021 19:35:16 -0400

Thanks for this! It’s very encouraging and intriguing. Glad to know I’m not the only one who daydreams in church! Finally decided that’s how my brain works and it’s still a way to worship God. Thanks!

In reply to - Daeus Lamb wrote a new post The enemy of writing is time. It limits productivity and advancement. For many writers, a conflict exists between the hours they spend (or wish they could spend) on their latest story […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:57:03 -0400

This was very interesting and helpful! Probably the first clear description of writer voice that I’ve ever heard. Thank you!

In reply to - Daeus Lamb wrote a new post If you’ve ever gone hunting for advice on finding your writing voice, your brain is undoubtedly tuckered out. Many tips are vague at best and confusing or contradictory at w […]

Rachel Leitch posted a new activity comment

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 01:15:14 -0400

Aah, I needed this so much! Midpoints are my hardest parts to write. Thank you so much!

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 […]