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Links to Bishop's works
Writing Tip by Leonard Bishop
A good story is like a motorcycle. All the parts move together and move forward. (7-8-99)
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Tag Archives: Dare to Be A Great Writer
Forming Characters
by Leonard Bishop Fiction writers are alchemists. They draw together scraps of illusion and transform them into readable realities. Major characters must have size. Great ambitions, exaggerated passions, fascinating minds, superhuman capacities for love and hate, and monumental capabilities. If … Continue reading
Posted in teaching, Writer's Hint, Writing, writing a novel, Writing Techniques
Tagged American Novelist, characterization, creating heroes in writing, creating villains in writing, Dare to Be A Great Writer, inventiveness, Leonard Bishop, writing advice, writing characters, writing inspiration
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Step Right Up; Get Your Ticket!
by Leonard Bishop My career and life are ruined and I am in a desperate search–all because of the short story I could not write. The plot was too complicated, the characters were too complex, the meaning too deep … Continue reading
“Writing” is a Partial Solution
by Leonard Bishop I’m going to view what I write now, through a long-standing memory. Some will be about myself, some about what I have learned. Until I was 18 years old I was just a street punk who only … Continue reading
Posted in publishing, slice of life, teaching, Writer's Hint, Writing, writing a novel, Writing Techniques
Tagged American Novelist, American writers, Dare to Be A Great Writer, finding yourself., growing as a writer, Leonard Bishop, self-expression, surviving as a writer, taking risks in writing, why should I write?, writing inspiration, writing talent
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Even The Greats Wrote Some Trash
by Leonard Bishop This is a true story–written to enlighten the general reading public who believe that great writers are born great writers; and to encourage despairing writers who see no hope in their ambitions. In 1953 my publisher insisted … Continue reading
Write A Novel? Get Emotional
by Leonard Bishop Writers are considered ‘intellectuals’ when, in reality, and they are ‘emotionalists.’ Intellectualism is provocative, but emotions are dramatic. Thought is a result of feeling. If someone flings the torch into your filled gasoline can, you do not … Continue reading
Posted in publishing, Writer's Hint, Writing, writing a novel, Writing Techniques
Tagged American Novelist, best American novelists, characterization, conflict in writing, Dare to Be A Great Writer, inventing plot, Plot, taking risks in writing, using emotions to write, writing inspiration, writing talent
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Write A Novel? Dramatize Life
by Leonard Bishop When writing a novel based on your experiences at a particular age, you must view that time dramatically, and with size. There is no need to develop bizarre plots that happen in exotic locations. Nor do … Continue reading
Posted in Writing, writing a novel, Writing Techniques
Tagged American Novelist, best American novelists, character motivation, characterization, comples characters, conflict in writing, Dare to Be A Great Writer, inventing plot, inventiveness, major characters, plot-line, quality prose, taking risks in writing, viewpoint, writing a first novel, writing a novel, writing dramatic scenes, writing in first person, writing in third person, writing inspiration, writing technique
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Write A Novel? Let’s Pretend
By Leonard Bishop A late general complaint from all people who want to write novels is:” I’d love to write a novel–but I don’t know what to write about–or where to begin.” That is a mediocre excuse for not writing … Continue reading
We Grow Through Time
by Leonard Bishop I enjoy remembering, but I do not believe in photograph albums. They are bulky, and troublesome to maintain. There are always stacks of pictures in the drawer, waiting to be placed on the pages. Years ago I … Continue reading
Aggression, Cynicism and Great Writing
by Leonard Bishop What I intend to say, and how I say it, are not always the same. I received a letter from a Mr. D. of Manhattan. He stated that my attitudes to “being a writer” were aggressive and … Continue reading
Posted in publishing, teaching, Writer's Hint, Writing Techniques
Tagged American Novelist, American writers, Beat Writers, best American novelists, Dare to Be A Great Writer, dramatic scenes, effective scenes, inventiveness, Leonard Bishop, Narration, surviving as a writer, taking risks in writing, writing inspiration, writing technique
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A Resolution Meant to be Fulfilled
by Leonard Bishop I intend to fulfill a New Year’s resolution that is based on a long-standing cliché. But, like many clichés that were once refreshing wisdoms, they should be reprised and the wisdom revived. Beware of self-fulfilling prophecies. If … Continue reading
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