“Tell your story as though you are trying to keep people awake.” ~ Jesse Lee Kercheval

When we write about someone in our memoir, should we tell them? @KathrynSmith at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/02/12/w... #writingcommunity #writingq #authorlife #authorcommunity #memoir

"Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion." ~ Barry Lopez

Ten days with eyes closed; how @candyschulman.bsky.social relearned the full spectrum of sensory writing @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/c... #WritingCommunity #writingtips #writingq

“There’s always that first storytelling impulse: I want to tell you something … ” ~ Grace Paley

Perfectionists, how to be gentle with yourself in the chaos of publishing. @jocelynjanecox.bsky.social @annajrollins.bsky.social @mfraterrigo.bsky.social at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/p... #publishing #memoir #newbook #writingcommunity

"If you don’t feel that you are possibly on the edge of humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing, then probably what you are doing isn’t very vital. If you don’t feel like you are writing somewhat over your head, why do it?" ~ John Irving

"I think if I keep working in the way that I am, from the heart and from passion and with love, well, the fruits of that will keep coming." ~ Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny)

When tone is the structure and voice is the truth: JM Birmingham on essays that don't apparently conform. Love this @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/r... #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingcommunity

“The role of the artist is to ask questions, not answer them.” ~ Anton Chekhov

Writing beyond the superficial 'what' - and finding the deep meaning. @KathyMcKernan at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/w... #memoir #writinglife #creativewriting

"If there is a secret to writing, I haven’t found it yet. All I know is you need to sit down, clear your mind, and hang in there." ~ Mary McGrory

One memoir, four voices; a unique creative challenge. @AndreaAFirth @DavidCarlin @petamurray.bsky.social at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/w... #writingcommunity #authorlife #memoir

"One of the things I love most about writing is the constraints, the problem solving, the puzzle."~ Kate Milliken / @katemilliken.bsky.social

"Writing is a way of saying that you and the world have a chance." ~ Richard Hugo

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” ~ Diane Arbus

"It's a moment that I'm after, a fleeting moment, but not a frozen moment." ~ Andrew Wyeth

"A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is." ~ Flannery O’Connor

"Imagine if you could paint your feelings, what would those words look like? Or what if you made your words into a meal? What would you want me to taste?" ~ Thomasin LaMay brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/27/b...

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." ~ George Orwell

What do we do with our ideas? @dianaruzova.bsky.social on collecting, classifying, clarifying, chasing at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/f... #writinglife #writingcommunity #creativity #authorlife

"The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business." ~ John Steinbeck

"Remember that changing one thing can change everything. Let more light into your life by letting more light into this day. Then repeat, and repeat, and repeat. Keep moving." ~ Maggie Smith / @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social

Tender piece by Josh Martin in Brevity @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevitymag.com/current-issu...

Sometimes, you need a new writing form. @JoshuaMartin at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/22/b... #writinglife #authorlife #creativewriting

"A good memoir is about how one understands life, not the life." ~ Ira Sukrungruang

“I do not so much write a book as sit up with it, as a dying friend. I hold its hand and hope it will get better.” ~ Annie Dillard

"Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world. Just a barbaric one." ~ Ai Weiwei

Revision isn't negative; isn't fault-finding. It's finding your way. Beautifully said by @heidicroot.bsky.social @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/19/r... #writinglife #authorlife #creativewriting #lifewriting

“Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

On finding your writing voice... from the voice within - @MariaBOlujic at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/14/t... #writingcommunity #creativewriting #writinglife

"Silence is of the gods; only monkeys chatter." ~ Buster Keaton

If writing your author newsletter is a chore, your recipients will know. Here's what to do about that (apart from giving up) @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/15/n... #writingcommunity #authorlife #writinglife

@saltpeterdraws.bsky.social's wonderful artwork is featured in the new issue of Brevity launched this morning. Essays on Love, Loss, and the Sweet Sting of What Could Never Be. brevitymag.com

Brevity's new issue launched this morning. Flash essays from Nicole Walker, Alex Sokol, Sean Thomas Dougherty, Shuly Cawood, Thomasin LaMay, Charles Montgomery, Derek Maiolo, José Orduña, Josh Martin, Liz Sauchelli, Margaret Grayson, and Rocky Halpern. Artwork by Michael Todd Cohen. brevitymag.com

"If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way." ~ Seamus Heaney

Just a few spots left in this weekend's Virtual Intensive, Finish Your Book in 2026!! Interactive lessons on Dramatic Structure, Trusting the Reader, Effective Revision, and your future publishing path. Come join me and @allisonkwilliams.bsky.social - we'd love to see you. Link in comments.

If you are unable to find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? ~ Dogen Zenji

We're looking for a podcast co-host!

"Be open to creative pivots. They don’t have to be permanent or forever, but a way to listen and honor your creative voice, especially if you’re feeling stuck or not sure what to do next. " ~ Darien Hsu Gee

How literary translation is an act of searching, striving, listening, creation. Shantanu M @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/08/f... #writingcommunity #authorcommunity #creativewriting

Brevity readers, we wouldn’t be here without you! And we want to make sure we’re a valuable part of your literary life. As you navigate the waters of your writing, reading and literary discovery, will you help with a quick survey? brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/09/s...

"It is the writer's duty to hate injustice, to defy the powerful, and to speak for the voiceless." ~ Edward Abbey

"I've been circling for thousands of years / and I still don't know: am I a falcon, / a storm, or a great song?" ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

And it is nice to be trusted.

How much backstory should you include at the start? Here's how to make the judgement (using coloured pens!) @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/l... #writingtips #writingcommunity #writingq

"As with much craft advice, it helps to remember that the equation is often more complex than yes or no. Some backstory can be useful. Knowing certain key details can enhance a reader’s experience of the action." ~ Dinty W. Moore brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/l...

Creativity is uncertainty. It's scary for all of us. @allisonkwilliams.bsky.social at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/06/n... #writingcommunity #writinglife #authorlife #creativewriting

Does every line serve the book? I stumbled across this vintage @dintywmoore.bsky.social post while researching @brendanomeara.bsky.social's podcast and it's every bit as fresh today brevity.wordpress.com/2021/10/22/w... #writinglife #cnf #authorlife #WritingCommnunity

As if writing a book isn't hard enough, you then have the embarrassing agony of selling it. @leapage75.bsky.social at @dintywmoore.bsky.social brevity.wordpress.com/2026/01/02/w... #writingcommunity #writinglife #authorlife #creativewriting