I think training your instinct comes from writing and reading. There's no big secret. And reading slush helps, as well; I'd recommend… — Mary J. Miller Bigs Copy Share Image
It's something that's difficult to explain but I think all writers work this way to some extent, whether we're aware of it… — Mary J. Miller Character Copy Share Image
There are many stories I've wanted to write that I'm simply not able to - sometimes I haven't found the way in… — Mary J. Miller Able Copy Share Image
I've learned so much from my professors and have been fortunate to have had so many good ones, including Frederick and Steven… — Mary J. Miller Fortunate Copy Share Image
I think there simply comes a point at which you're beating your head against the wall with revision, when you're making something… — Mary J. Miller Active Copy Share Image
I suppose this is, essentially, my perspective on life. Just because we've made mistakes and learned things from them intellectually doesn't mean… — Mary J. Miller Failure Copy Share Image
I've learned a lot about language from reading slush. You can immediately tell if a writer is in control of the narrative.… — Mary J. Miller Bunch Copy Share Image
I wish I knew exactly who I was. I was talking to a friend earlier about the advice people give each other,… — Mary J. Miller Advice Copy Share Image
It's definitely about the rhythm of the words and how they sound together, writing one sentence and then another and another and… — Mary J. Miller Ability Copy Share Image
I don't know what people want, really. Does somebody have to die? What is meant by resolution? These are questions that I… — Mary J. Miller Book Copy Share Image
Making all of those words work together is difficult. It took a lot of cleaning up, a lot of rewriting scenes in… — Mary J. Miller Cleaning Copy Share Image
I want to be able to discuss craft but I also want to teach writers to trust their instincts and learn to… — Mary J. Miller Able Copy Share Image
I don't revise a lot when writing short stories. As far as the novel, I definitely thought more about plot. Honestly, I'm… — Mary J. Miller Books Copy Share Image
There's definitely a magical quality to writing that can't be explained. I can write something I love in two days, or I… — Mary J. Miller Every day Copy Share Image
A story works when there's momentum, life behind the words. Some stories have this and others don't, and it's difficult to say… — Mary J. Miller Art Copy Share Image
I can't remember who said it - I think it was Allan Gurganus when he was visiting the Michener Center - but… — Mary J. Miller Gold Copy Share Image
"There is no analysis here," the most brutal of them wrote. Now I wonder if my papers lacked critical thought, or if… — Mary J. Miller Analysis Copy Share Image
Sometimes the way comes later, when I'm not working or thinking about it at all. When stories don't work, you try to… — Mary J. Miller Convince Copy Share Image
Some of the things I liked in my years as a student in workshops: the occasional in-class prompt; discussions about what it… — Mary J. Miller Brutally honest Copy Share Image
To be quite honest, along with thinking and such when it comes to writing, I'm not into words like "theory." I'm a… — Mary J. Miller Analyzing Copy Share Image
You don't need a dead father to explain a character's sadness. And impressing yourself with wit/cleverness often feels like what it is… — Mary J. Miller Character Copy Share Image
I try to think as little as possible, at least while working. I look at some of my early stories and can… — Mary J. Miller Bad decision Copy Share Image
Perhaps adding a line or two of dialogue to try to better capture an emotion. But I've found that if the story… — Mary J. Miller Beats Copy Share Image
I also liked it when professors assigned us stories that they love. In general, I liked workshops more when they were more… — Mary J. Miller Figures Copy Share Image
There were definitely scenes I struggled with more than others: the car accident and the thunderstorm are two that come to mind.… — Mary J. Miller Accidents Copy Share Image
