Karen Burns Kirkland, WA United States: Like

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Literary Fiction Writers

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Karen Burns commented on the blog post 'Do You Write Like a Wimp?'

"Yeah, I am doing the same thing. Which I guess brings up another conundrum: Is it possible to nudge your character out of the passive and into the active? I am going to say yes!"

Jul 25, 2012

Karen Burns posted a blog post

Do You Write Like a Wimp?

Have recently noticed that many beginning fiction writers create passive characters. Hmm. Why is this? A friend said it's because writers themselves are passive. We create in our own image. Is this true? Are we really all just weenies? In hopes there's more to it than that I tried to come up with some better ideas at http://www.yellowwallpaperwriters.com/2012/07/why-we-do-we-write-wimpily/ See More

Jul 25, 2012

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Karen Burns commented on the blog post '15 Reasons to Write Fiction'

"The ego, huh? That's interesting. For me, looking at what I've written is most of the time NOT an activity that builds up the old self-esteem. But then everyone's experience is different! Suffice it to say that…"

Feb 1, 2012

Sally Whitney commented on the blog post '15 Reasons to Write Fiction'

"Karen, I thought of something else to support my belief in the pleasure of writing. I'm familiar with the quote from the author who only likes having written, but another famous author said that writing feeds the soul, whereas having written…"

Feb 1, 2012

Sally Whitney commented on the blog post '15 Reasons to Write Fiction'

"Okay. Having struggled most of the morning to produce a few paragraphs, I'll give you that maybe it's not always fun. But I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing."

Feb 1, 2012

Karen Burns commented on the blog post '15 Reasons to Write Fiction'

"Well, Sally, I guess you're right. It is fun, or at least sometimes it's fun. Most of the time,I guess. Some of the time? One time out of ten?? Someone famous once said he doesn't like writing, he likes…"

Feb 1, 2012

Sally Whitney commented on the blog post '15 Reasons to Write Fiction'

"These are all good reasons to write, except for 10, 11, and 12. As you say, you'd have to be pretty naive to write only for money or fame. I'd elaborate on number 15 to say "because it's fun." It's hard work, but I…"

Feb 1, 2012

Karen Burns posted a blog post

15 Reasons to Write Fiction

Last September Dwight Garner published an essay in the New York Times Sunday Magazine where he grouses about certain authors (Jeffrey Eugenides, Jonathan Franzen, Donna Tartt, Michael Chabon, et al.) who, in his view, go “too long” between books.What?Here he’s complaining about not enough books when imho far too many books are being written and published. I go in a…See More

Jan 31, 2012

9 Comments 0 Likes

Marlene Begg liked Karen Burns's blog post Does Anxiety Fuel Creativity?

Jul 4, 2011

Karen Burns posted a blog post

Does Anxiety Fuel Creativity?

Had coffee on Friday with a new writing friend. She’s hard at work on a historical novel. After the merest of preliminaries, we did what all writers do when they get together–fret. As we parted, I said, at least she says I said, that we should relax, that anxiety is a good thing because it’s a source of creativity.Today she emailed, asking, “Can you elaborate on what you meant?”I don’t remember making this remark, quite frankly. Although if she says I did, then I must have. I was probably…See More

Jul 4, 2011

0 Comments 1 Like

Karen Burns commented on the blog post 'The Criticism That Changed My Life'

"I once read the advice that, before beginning to write, you should spend a little time reading a very good example of the type of writing you're attempting. It gets the wheels spinning and, I think, ties in to that old saw about how…"

Jun 19, 2011

Karen Burns commented on the blog post 'Forgive Me, For I Have Doubted'

"Writers gotta write. That's all there is to it."

Jun 19, 2011

Karen Burns commented on the blog post 'Your Life, Your Rules, Your Values, Your Success'

"Thank you, Tayari, for writing about this. The sales part of publishing was difficult for me, too. It almost (almost!) ruined the experience for me. I had no idea it would be such a drain. You're right, focus on…"

May 26, 2011

Karen Burns replied to the discussion 'Basic rules for writing fiction.' in the group Literary Fiction Writers

"Hey, I have a list of 25 here: http://www.yellowwallpaperwriters.com/2011/05/25-novel-writing-rules/ Tongue firmly in cheek....."

May 12, 2011

Karen Burns commented on the blog post '25 Novel-Writing "Rules"'

"Ha, I thought about the no-adjective thing when making the list but wasn't sure how widespread it was. I do see the benefit of strong nouns over weakish nouns bolstered up by adjectives but I also wonder somtimes why whole…"

May 12, 2011

Profile Information

Who I am:: site: www.yellowwallpaperwriters.com
Twitter: workinggirl

Books I've written, anthologies I've contributed to, and any scripts or plays I've authored:: "The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use," just out from Running Press

Media outlets that I currently write for:: I write a weekly column for the U.S. News & World Report website.

My writing is:: Nonfiction

Outlets where I review books, TV, or film:: yes

Services I offer to other writers:: not so far

I'm part of these writers' groups or salons:: yes, every other Saturday!

My professional associations:: Am a member of eWomenNetwork, Biznik, Kalon, Eastside Entrepreneurs, Pacific Northwest Writers Association

I found out about She Writes from:: Hmm. I don't remember.

Karen Burns's Blog

Do You Write Like a Wimp?

Posted on July 25, 2012 at 11:40am 2 Comments 0 Likes

Have recently noticed that many beginning fiction writers create passive characters.

Hmm. Why is this?

A friend said it's because writers themselves are passive. We create in our own image. Is this true? Are we really all just weenies?

In hopes there's more to it than that I tried to come up with some better ideas at…

Continue

15 Reasons to Write Fiction

Posted on January 31, 2012 at 6:46pm 9 Comments 0 Likes

What?

Here he’s complaining about not enough books when imho far too many books are being written and…

Continue

Does Anxiety Fuel Creativity?

Posted on July 4, 2011 at 11:10am 0 Comments 1 Like

Today she emailed, asking, “Can you elaborate on what you meant?”

I don’t remember making this remark, quite frankly. Although if she…

Continue

25 Novel-Writing "Rules"

Posted on May 11, 2011 at 8:27pm 1 Comment 0 Likes

I didn’t mean to write about rules for writing novels. I meant to write about present tense novels, i.e., how best to approach the writing of them. And so I’ve been doing a bit of Internet research.

And, boy, did I get an eyeful. Apparently, tons of people hate novels written in the present tense. Hate hate hate. Who knew. It’s a horrible fad, they say. It must not be encouraged and they refuse to read anything written in the present tense, so…

Continue

What Exactly is "Literary Fiction"?

Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:05pm 1 Comment 1 Like

The other day I test drove a new writers’ group. As I handed out my pages someone asked, “What genre is this?”

“Well, um, it’s not any genre,” I mumbled. “It’s fiction.”

I shrank from saying, “It’s literary fiction.” That sounds so snooty. Admitting you write literary fiction (or try to) is like drawing a big ol’ bull’s eye on your chest because you’re saying you think your work is “better” than fiction produced for mere–gasp–entertainment.

Which led me to wonder,…

Continue

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April Eberhardt commented on the blog post 'The Many Paths to Publishing—Which One’s Right for You?'

"Hi, Jo Anne and Marta--Thanks for your thoughtful comments and questions. I'll post a more detailed reply soon on the topics you raise, but I agree that there is much blurring of terms right now. The main factor differentiating reputable…"

37 minutes ago

Jennifer Richardson posted a blog post

Lessons on Creativity from Burt Bacharach

Last night I went to see Burt Bacharach be interviewed by one his ex-wives…See More

1 hour ago

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Julie Luek commented on the blog post '[MAKING THE LEAP] 8 Goal-Setting Tips for Summer'

"Hi Susie-- I had to sit down a few weeks ago and write out a daily schedule to ensure I was maintaining a proper balance of social media and, hey, how about a little actual writing. It has helped me work in time to workout daily too. You're…"

1 hour ago

Susie Klein commented on the blog post '[MAKING THE LEAP] 8 Goal-Setting Tips for Summer'

"Loved this Julie. Just last night I got honest with myself about using my husbands non-consistent work schedule as an excuse for my lack of scheduled writing. This helped push me to an idea for writing my weekly writing schedule on our posted…"

1 hour ago