DIY MFA
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DIY MFA is a do-it-yourself alternative to a master's in writing. We create tools to help you write more. Learn how to make writing a priority while still fitting it into your existing life. Boost your creativity through prompts and writing exercises. Hone your craft and master writing techniques. Discover tools to help you keep up your motivation so you can finish that project you've..
DIY MFA
1w ago
Writing a book is like making a contract with our readers. We agree to craft a great story and our readers in turn agree to suspend their disbelief and keep turning pages. Furthermore, I believe that at the start of every book, we must make five promises to our readers. These promises are not hard-and-fast ..read more
DIY MFA
1M ago
Story marketing has been all the buzz for the past several years. More than snappy taglines and fancy graphics, companies have been relying on storytelling to engage their audiences. As writers, we can also do the same with our author platforms, using stories to connect with our readers. Now, I don’t need to sell you ..read more
DIY MFA
1M ago
Point of view is one of the trickiest and most technical aspects of writing, but it’s also my favorite. There are so many choices and possibilities—it’s like being in the literary version of a candy store! At the same time, however, this variety of options can be overwhelming, making us feel like we’re being pulled ..read more
DIY MFA
1M ago
You may not know this about me, but I am a die-hard Twilight Zone fan. The show represents some of the finest writing in television and I especially love that it’s kid-friendly so I can watch with the nerdlings. Sure, a couple of episodes might be duds, but what show doesn’t hit the occasional bump ..read more
DIY MFA
2M ago
As a New Year’s resolution in January of 2007, I decided I was a writer and would start acting like one. No more excuses. I was going to stop complaining and saying that I’d start writing “someday.” I would glue my backside to the chair and start writing right now. The problem was, I had ..read more
DIY MFA
2M ago
You might not know this about me, but DIY MFA was not my first choice as a career. In fact, I was forced to walk away from my dream job, but founded DIY MFA and created a career of a lifetime. Let me tell you the story. From when I was in elementary school until ..read more
DIY MFA
3M ago
The topic of voice has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a subject that writers are expected to understand, but rarely does anyone actually explain what it really is. Until now. Voice is the feel, the vibe, the sound, the essence of your writing. It’s that quality that makes your writing unmistakably yours ..read more
DIY MFA
4M ago
Welcome, today is DIY MFA’s monthly Craft Jam. Once a month, Christa and I jam about the craft. In these episodes, we do a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to craft the perfect book ending. Have ..read more
DIY MFA
4M ago
I have played the violin since I was four years old, and my son and daughter play piano and violin respectively. They both go to a Suzuki music school—the same school I attended from ages 4-18. In fact, my daughter’s violin teacher was my orchestra conductor and chamber music coach when I was a teen ..read more
DIY MFA
4M ago
Once upon a time, a workshop was considered a place where you did the work. Think of a carpenter’s workshop, with sawdust covering the tables and coils or scraps of wood littering the floors. Or consider Santa’s workshop, where elves engage in the cheery job of making toys for all the good little children of ..read more