Melissa GoutyMar 4, 20203 minHow to Be a Committee of Joy Being joyful is determined partly by genetics. But you can choose to bring joy to others by practicing gratitude, showing compassion, and li
Melissa GoutyMar 4, 20206 minHow to Sell 60 Million Books in Spite of the Critics The critics hated The Bridges of Madison County, but the tactics Robert James Waller used in his novel made the readers love it. 60 million
Melissa GoutyMar 3, 20204 minWhat Can a Child Really Know of Death?I was too young to understand a tragic death at the age of 7. It was only as an adult I experienced delayed grief for my first lost love.
Melissa GoutyMar 2, 20204 minHow A Man Called Ove Changes from Bitter to Lovable Fredrik Backman uses three tactics to change a bitter, old curmudgeon into a lovable man in A Man Called Ove, the best-selling novel.
Melissa GoutyMar 2, 20204 minHow to Concoct Powerful Descriptions with Smell Of the five senses, smell has the most powerful connection to memory and emotion. Writers should use it to create strong descriptions.
Melissa GoutyFeb 25, 20204 minTruth-Telling in the World of FictionJulie Orringer's novel dramatizes the life of Varian Fry, who helped get Jewish artists and writers out of occupied France. Much is fiction.
Melissa GoutyFeb 21, 20203 minHow to Be More Creative: What To Do When Your Words Misbehave The most creative writing happens when you follow misbehaving words when they break away from your plan. Mary Oliver's poem "The Beast" is a
Melissa GoutyFeb 5, 20206 minHow Many Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novels Have You Read? What are the requirements for winning a Pulitzer prize in fiction, and how many have you read over the last 20 years? Your score might surpr
Melissa GoutyJan 30, 20205 minOrdinary Grace by William Kent Krueger Is No Ordinary Novel Aspiring writers can learn from the techniques used by Krueger in the acclaimed novel, Ordinary Grace.
Melissa GoutyJan 30, 20204 minWhy Read a Book with an Unlikable Character? why spend time reading a book when you dislike the main character? Consider this.The most unlikeable character impacts you the most. I came
Melissa GoutyJan 22, 20203 minWalt Whitman and National Celebrate Life Day Today is National “Celebrate Life” Day, and I’m thinking of Walt Whitman. As much as I love him — and while I understand that it’s important
Melissa GoutyJan 14, 20208 min7 Ways Keeping a Book Journal Will Improve Your WritingUnless you’re blessed with a photographic memory, you don’t remember each and every book you read. A book journal will help with that.