Voices of Fiction - Can Creativity Be Taught - Part Four

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on creativity.

Please welcome our authors.

Vicki Batman likes to kick back with a diet Coke and write crazy things for her characters. She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??" - Website, Blog, Amazon

Karenna Colcroft is the alter ego of a shy, sedate wife and mother. She has been writing since age five, and dove into erotic romance in 2006. Her first book was published in 2009, and since then she has had over thirty stories published. She lives in the northeastern US with her two children and her real-life romance hero husband. - Website, Facebook, Twitter

Carole Ann Moleti is a nurse-midwife in New York City, thus explaining her fascination with paranormal and urban fantasy. Her newest fiction is featured in Beltane: Ten Tales of Magic. Excerpts of Carole's memoir, Someday I'm Going to Write a Book: Diary of an Urban Missionary has been published most recently in the new, irreverent Not Your Mother's Book Series. - Website, Blog, Twitter

Pembroke Sinclair has had several short stories, novellas, novels, and nonfiction published in various places. She writes an eclectic mix of fantasy, science fiction, horror, some romance, and previously Westerns. - Blog, eTreasures, Amazon



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

Can creativity be taught?

Vicki Bateman: I'm not sure about creativity being taught. We can increase creativity by exploring it through different mediums. For example, I do needlepoint. And while I am, I often think about things, especially my writing.

Karenna Colcroft: I don't know if creativity can be taught, but I believe everyone has a degree of creativity within them. What sometimes needs to be--and can be--taught is how to *use* that creativity.

Carole Ann Moleti: Everyone is creative in some way. I can't draw or paint, but I can write (not my opinion--other people than my family have told me that). I took guitar lessons for years and don't remember anything. But I have internalized most of the details my writing teachers shared. I can also cobble together all sorts of things in a pinch, using whatever is at hand. I recently suspended a plastic sock hanger on my arbor to hold food for the birds. When my son couldn't find his regulation red bow tie for a band concert, I took one off a Vermont Teddy Bear and pinned it to his collar (after removing the "love me" badge). Maybe that's why I can piece together a story without a detailed outline.

Pembroke Sinclair: Sheesh! That's a tough question! I would like to think so. After all, we aren't born with the ability to write, and the more we do it, (hopefully) the better we get. Some people have more of a leaning toward creativity, but I think everyone has the potential to be creative. They just need the proper outlet.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Stage Fright - Five Sentence Fiction

Visit Lillie McFerrin Writes for more Five Sentence Fiction.

The prompt - Conquer

Stage Fright

Arms pulled tight against her sides, doubt and fear dripping from her face in the form of perspiration, she crosses the stage focused on her destination. She sits upon the wooden stool, placing her fingers upon the ivory keys. One stroke at a time, she connects with the instrument, mingling and becoming the music which flows through the air, a product of her own motions. A shuffle fills the room as the crowd stands and erupts into a swarm of loud applaud. She stands and faces the audience, a smile touch her lips and a beam of delight caressing her skin.

Voices of Fiction - Can Creativity Be Taught - Part Three

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on creativity.

Please welcome our authors.

Cara Marsi, former corporate drone and cubicle dweller, and award-winning author, is published in romantic suspense, contemporary romance and paranormal romance. She also writes short romance stories for women’s magazines. Cara and her husband share their house with a fat black diva of a cat named Killer. - Website, Twitter, Facebook

Liz Crowe’s groundbreaking romance sub-genre, “Romance for Real Life,” has gained thousands of fans and followers who are interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”) Her books are set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch and in high-powered real estate offices. Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury. - Website,  Blog, Facebook

Terry W. Ervin II is an English and Science teacher who enjoys writing. Gryphonwood Press published the first two novels in his First Civilization’s Legacy Series (FLANK HAWK and BLOOD SWORD) and he is busy writing the third novel in the fantasy series. In November 2012 Gryphonwood Press is slated to release Terry’s first short story collection, GENRE SHOTGUN. - Website, Blog

Children’s Picture Book author, Clara Bowman-Jahn, of “Annie’s Special Day” is living the life of her dreams an hour at a time. - Website, Etreasures



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

Can creativity be taught?

Cara Marsi: I think we're all creative in our own way and with practice and determination you can learn to release and hone your creativity.

Liz Crowe: Absolutely not. Things like discipline can however, and anyone who wants to write should at least try it. The discipline to practice, practice, practice (which for a writer translates to WRITING a lot) is probably the hardest thing to master, but it can be taught.

Terry W. Ervin II: Up to a point it can be. In the case of writing, I think a writer needs to focus on his strengths. Maybe it’s not fiction, but rather non-fiction. There is creativity in that, just a different type. It’s like asking if someone can be taught to be organized. Anyone can be, up to a point, and being better at one method over others. But how far it goes is really based on what the individual brings to the table and how persistent he is at developing and practicing to maximize those talents and abilities.

Clara Bowman-Jahn: I think imagination is fostered at an early age and that leads to creativity. Today's kids are scheduled so tightly they don't have a chance to reflect or to imagine in play and I wonder what that does to their creativity.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Whispers of Peace - Five Sentence Fiction

Visit Lillie McFerrin Writes for more Five Sentence Fiction.

The prompt - Whisper

Whispers of Peace

A couple screams in spite.

An army raises guns to fight.

So much noise to be heard, 

Yet no one seems to listen. 

Find simplicity in your message - 

Use whispers of peace and harmony. 

Millions will hear and listen. 

Voices of Fiction - Can Creativity Be Taught - Part Two

Welcome to Voices of Fiction.

We continue our discussion on creativity.

Please welcome our authors.

Karen Cioffi is a multi-award-winning author, freelance/ghostwriter, editor, and online marketer, as well as the founder and manager of Writers on the Move. - Website, Website, Website

Jade Varden is the author of the Deck of Lies series, a collection of YA mystery books that show what happens when dark family secrets are exposed. Jade also provides professional writing tips to other indie authors on her blog. - Twitter, Blog, Amazon

Thea Landen writes erotic literature, frequently in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. When she's not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games. Blog, Amazon, AllRomanceBooks

Author and editor, Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz has published more than 100 articles, 75 stories, six e books, a chapbook, one MG novel, a short story collection, and her stories have been included in two anthologies. She writes for both adults and children. She edits for two small traditional publishers. Website, Blog, MuseItUp


Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

Can creativity be taught?

Karen Cioffi: I do think creativity can be taught. One person may be more creative than another, but I think everyone has the potential to learn it. There is so much information available to help writers learn how to write, to learn the craft of writing, finding information on creativity is the same. One strategy is to read in the genre you want to write. Read newly published books and books that have won awards. Then model the techniques or format in these books. There’s also a copywriting technique that involves writing/copying word-for-word quality copy. This strategy is geared to teach the brain to write quality content. This though is just a writing exercise; you obviously can’t use someone else’s work as your own. All these different avenues of information can help spark and build creativity.

Jade Varden: Up to a point, anything can be taught. You can learn technique and tricks and brainstorming, but at the end of the day to write fiction you’ve got to get those random creative ideas that come from nowhere.

Thea Landen: I'm not sure. It definitely should be encouraged from an early age!

Penny Ehrenkranz: That’s a really hard question, and I’m not sure what the answer is. My first response would be no, but I’m sure a creative writing teacher might disagree. I think a student needs to have an aptitude for creativity, and then the teacher can fine tune it and steer the student in the right direction.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)

Roses of Tomorrow - Going to Print!

I've been informed 'Roses of Tomorrow' will be included in the 2012 Spinetinglers Anthology, which will be available in June.

A little history - First brought to light in 2006, Roses of Tomorrow evolved through critiques and my own growth as a writer. From a short flash fiction of 666 words, it grew into a full story of 5,390 words.

A special thank you goes out to all those who have helped me along my path. 'Roses of Tomorrow' is proof of how much a writer can grow with the guidance of a few helpful writers and readers. You know who you are, and I thank you from the deepest part of soul. I wouldn't be where I am today without you.

Advice to aspiring writer - Don't throw anything away and never give up. Keep writing and accept help when it is helpful. Trust your gut when it comes to judging good critiques from bad ones. Grow, evolve, become an Author.

Blessings to my critiquers, my writing friends, and my readers.

A Burden, A Bliss - Five Sentence Fiction

Visit Lillie McFerrin Writes for more Five Sentence Fiction.
This week's prompt: Empty

A Burden, A Bliss 

Voices whisper and scream, speaking of faraway places. Pressure builds within my head as their will becomes my own. A pen, a scrap of paper, I frantically search for my writing tools. Hunger surges through me, growling, begging for reality. Words flow across the page, emptying my soul, freeing my mind, allowing me to return to you.

Voices of Fiction - Can Creativity Be Taught - Part One

Welcome back to Voices of Fiction.

What is creativity? According to the dictionary, one definition is -   the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

Can it be taught? Join us over the next few weeks to discover the opinions of a few authors.

Please welcome this week's group.

Reno Charlton works from home as a full-time copywriter, providing clients around the world with content for websites, magazines and other media. She’s also the author of three children’s fantasy novels. Under the pen name, Emily Ho, she’s published two short stories, winning the Curtis Brown Short Story Competition with ‘The Journey Home.’ - Amazon UK, Amazon, Goodreads

Catrina Barton is a licensed Kung Fu Instructor of the Black Dragon style and draws on that experience to make her fight scenes both realistic and action packed. She enjoys being surrounded by the stark beauty of mother nature, such as a moon lit starry sky, or a picnic by a peaceful waterfall cascading from the mountain side. - Amazon, Blog

Karina Kantas is the author of six titles, In Times of Violence, Lawless Justice, Road Rage and Huntress (which is published by MMP.) She's also the author of Stone Cold a YA supernatural thriller and Heads & Tales, a short story collection. Karina originates from the UK but now lives in Greece with her husband and two beautiful daughters. - Amazon, Barnes/Noble, Website

Cherie Reich is a writer, freelance editor, book blogger, and library assistant living in Virginia. - Website, Blog



Welcome Authors! It's wonderful to have you back.

Can creativity be taught?

Reno Charlton: I think that although writing can be taught, creativity is something that you either have or you don’t. Most people have some sort of a creative flair and simply need to channel it in the right direction and hone their skills.

Catrina Barton: Ooh a tough one. Honestly I think it can be learned, but not taught. My opinion is that creativity is either fed or allowed to grow as a child, or killed and has to be painstakingly nourished as an adult.

Karina Kantas: You either have talent or you don't. You can build and grow creativity but not teach it.

Cherie Reich: I believe people can be taught to be better writers, but creativity seems almost more innate. For example, I believe people can learn to write nonfiction fairly well, but I don't know if the same person without having a good imagination to begin with would be able to create a fantasy novel.

Thank you all for joining us today.

Readers feel free to ask questions concerning this topic in the comments. Also feel free to send questions to chergreen@chergreen.com Subject: Voices of Fiction Question, and have them answered by the participating authors in later editions.

There’s also room for more authors to participate. Drop me an email, Subject: Voices of Fiction.

(Disclaimer - Bios and photos submitted by authors.)