Book titles are hard. They need to be memorable, indicate the genre or what the book is about, create buzz, and have pizzazz. The title is likely the most important marketing decision you’ll make. And then there are one-word titles which might be the hardest ones to get just right. If you’re considering a one-word […]
Read the rest of this entry »Author Archive
As a writer you try to listen to what others aren’t saying….and write about that silence. ~N.R. Hart
Read the rest of this entry »5 Clunkers to Eliminate in your Writing
The first thing I notice when reading an opening paragraph is if a writer uses precise, fresh language. In case you’re having problems seeing your dull choices or bloopers here are some you can fix or avoid: Said exclamations: Today’s readers are sophisticated and understand when characters are talking and that at times the character’s […]
Read the rest of this entry »“It is a great privilege to make one’s living from writing sentences. The sentence is the greatest invention of civilization. To sit all day assembling these extraordinary strings of words is a marvelous thing. I couldn’t ask for anything better. It as near to godliness as I can get. The great thrill is when a […]
Read the rest of this entry »Introducing Unforgettable Secondary Characters
There are so many tricky aspects of crafting fiction, so many techniques to master. And then there’s revision with all it’s myriad decisions. Many writers can struggle creating vibrant and complex secondary characters. After all, complicated main characters are hard enough to create. Memorable co-stars, however, can make or break a story. I always view […]
Read the rest of this entry »Nail your character’s essence
Fiction equals characters. Characters make us care, worry, empathize. And characters need to be knowable. When a character is introduced in a story he or she needs to make a strong impression. (Walk-on and minor characters are sometimes the exception.) This means when you create characters, after you make decisions about physical appearance and their […]
Read the rest of this entry »Quick take: make it hard on your protagonist
Common writing advice has been circulating for decades: pile on obstacles in your main character’s path. Here’s a reminder: those obstacles, causing tension and suspense, should also come from within the protagonist. Which brings us to character flaws. Characters are far from perfect, which is why we love them and relate to them and worry […]
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