by T. A. Barron | Oct 28, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Keeping Your Story Boat Afloat Did you know that before my first manuscript was published, I received 32 rejections? Thirty-two “no thank you”s. Thirty-two “we’ll pass.” Thirty-two “thanks, but no thanks.” That, friends, is A LOT of nos. But fortunately, not enough...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 13, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers
Using Mythology to Write Fantasy: Creating the Merlin Saga Children and young adults understand both the fun and the power of a good story. What could be more exciting than traveling without limits to other times, other value systems, and other universes? Creating...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 17, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
All Your Writing Questions, Answered! Other writers often ask me questions about how I started writing and for advice on their writing. I try answering your emails and Facebook posts and responding to as many writing questions as possible, but sometimes I can’t get to...
by T. A. Barron | May 24, 2022 | Blog, For Writers, On Writing
Bringing a Character to Life Making characters come alive is one of the trickiest, but most important elements of writing. When you see how they look in your mind — and can hear their voice echoing — then you’ve begun to know who they are. But it’s not...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 2, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Nature Lovers, For Writers, On Nature & the Environment, On Writing
Nature as a Character Making characters come alive is one of the trickiest but most important elements of writing. Before I start to write, I usually take extensive notes about each character. I then expand that description even further as I get to know them better...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 20, 2020 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How to Become a Better Writer Using Villains I often receive letters and messages from fans asking for writing advice, and I do my best to point them toward the many resources for writers on my website. But as we move closer to Halloween, I thought I’d offer those...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 8, 2020 | Blog, Contests, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Once Upon a Villain Looking for Something? Search for: CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate (1) Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3) Articles (9) Blog (147) Book Excerpt (22) Books (48)...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 19, 2017 | Blog, Books, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Giving Birth to a New Book The very first time I hold a new book that I’ve written, I gently give it a loving hug… just as if it were a newborn baby. And maybe, in a way, it is. For giving a new book to the world is the closest thing to delivering life that I...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 15, 2016 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Nature & the Environment, On Writing
How Are You Inspired by Nature? While hiking in California some years ago, I found the most magnificent tree I’d ever seen—a redwood of such grandeur that I nearly fell over backward trying to see its highest boughs. As I came closer, the smell of its resins enveloped...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 30, 2015 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing, Personal Writing
The Crazy Story of How I Met Madeleine L’Engle If you walk in the direction of your dreams, you open yourself to serendipity, and good things will happen. Maybe the best example I can give you of this is how I met Madeleine L’Engle. I had just received the latest of...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 21, 2015 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How I Got My Start As A Writer I have always loved the world of stories, ever since I was a kid. In fact, I loved stories so much that I even made up my own little magazine when I was in 5th or 6th grade. Unfortunately that little venture almost got me expelled when I...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 6, 2014 | Blog, Fantasy, For Writers, On Writing
Dragons I Have Known How do you describe a dragon? Dragons are a frequent subject in the marvelous messages I receive from readers, and many of them have put this question to me in one form or another. Describing characters well is a great challenge for any writer,...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 28, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Questions from Readers About How I Develop And Write My Stories One of the best things about being a writer with lots of loyal readers is the opportunity to answer your questions! From time-to-time I write on this blog to answer some of your questions. This post is...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 11, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Some Notes About My Writing Process New and aspiring writers often ask published writers, “What’s your process?” It feels a little funny to talk about the writing process, because it’s something I’m always learning about as well — even though I’ve been doing it...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 13, 2014 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Questions from Readers About Writing and What Influenced Me to be a Writer I’m often asked questions by other writers on how I got started writing, and for advice to them on their own writing. I try to answer as many of your emails and Facebook posts as I can, but...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 15, 2013 | Blog, Fantasy, For Writers, On Writing
Why Do I Write Fantasy? If you imagine where I live in Colorado—beside a willow-draped creek that is home to wild coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls—you can guess how much inspiration this place gives me. And in the distance, from the windows of my writing room in our...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 1, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Part II: How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part II of a two-part series on how I write. For part I, please click here.) I need to get three elements worked out before I can start a new book: Detailed descriptions of each new character; a big idea...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 13, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part I of a two-part series on how I write. For part II, please click here.) It’s the question fans always ask: “How do you write your stories?” Writers say they hate this question, and probably...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 11, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Growing Your Own Story “There are three essential rules for writing. Unfortunately … nobody knows what they are.” Encouraging words? But when a good friend who was an accomplished writer said them to me, her eyes sparkled. It’s taken me several years—and several books...
