Improbable Press Blog

By Atlin Merrick Writers often ask if I want to look at the first draft of the novel they're writing for Improbable Press. It's a sensible question with what may be an unexpected answer for most new writers: No, please, I do not ever want to see the draft of your novel. Ever. What is a First Draft? First draft—what does that even mean? The answer depends on you, actually. If you're the kind of person who plots everything—who knows your book is going to be fifteen chapters, in chapter eight the orphan will find his parents, in twelve the soldier with her rare...

Loaded phrases. The ones offered in white on these writing prompts.They're a bit harder to come up with than you'd think. My favourite so far has been black water, maybe because it just sounds creepy-cool, or because I, like you, are mostly water and the phrase calls to some swimmy, old part of us down deep. Anyway, what I was saying is the sayings…they're tough. Maybe you've no desire to fill this writing prompt but maybe you have something that sounds…creepy-cool? Two to four words for the white bit there? Inspire me won't you? Be Careful Writer…and Write Us Something...

By K. Caine First meetings are always going to have a soft spot for me. When I think about how I want to recommend a story that I love to someone—I think about the first meetings, I think about what sparks excitement for me, I think about the possibilities that come from character arcs intersecting.When I write, I try to think of those same things as well. I look at the paths that characters are on, and I look at the paths that I would prefer them to be on, and I try to figure out how I can intersect...

I'm glad goosebumps are not in short supply or I'd have to start rationing mine. You and your stories are making me go through in inordinate number of these little things, because you persistently insist on writing wee bits of magic when prompted with little more than some colours and an obscure image. Thank you. Will you do it again? On Space Chickens and Lonely Lochs—Inspired Writing Below are some quotes from last weeks lovelies, inspired by "Sudden Silence," and of course I'd love to include yours in next week's. ~ She is as old as this world, born in...

When All of This™ first began, I edited a Spark newsletter about working from home. That issue is chocka-block with tips from the experienced and neophyte on Getting Stuff Done when all the doing happens from the dining room table, or a corner of the couch. The tips were so great that I asked for more and more is what I got, so here, hot of the home presses are a half dozen tips to help you focus even as Fido barks and social media siren songs. How Do You Work From Home (Some Answers Involve a Tomato and a...