Writers often get bogged down in the middle of their work because they keep going back and editing the beginning. Yes, sometimes changes need to be made as we discover different than what we’d originally planned, but editing – honest to goodness editing – should wait until after the first draft is completed. Why? Writing and Editing use two different sides of the brain, … Read More Tip #9
People who have broken legs use crutches. Writers who have broken sentences use crutch words. A crutch word is an empty word with no purpose. It’s just a filler. Dandelion fluff. If you remove it from your sentence, you won’t even notice. No one likes to hear someone fill their speech with these. No one will like to read them either. They weaken your writing … Read More Tip #8
This one is titled “Authenticity”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read someone’s manuscript, only to find the wrong words or misunderstandings about a piece of information that’s easily found. I spent hours and days and weeks researching, not only the location, but also the time period, the political climate, the people in general for my novel “Birthright”. I’m sure I got … Read More Tip #7
I wrote recently about writing what you love because you may not get published. It bears repeating, especially when many writers like to write about various things. It seems to have become the … fad… to write the latest … fad. *cough* Young adult SF became the rage with the movies Divergent, Maze Runner, and Mockingjay. Lots of writers thought, oh, I have a … Read More Tip #6
You have no idea how heavy an unfinished manuscript draft, long or short, can weigh on you. The first draft especially. This is probably my most often given advise: Finish it. Just spit it out there. Good, Bad, or Ugly. As long as the last word of that draft is done, even if it devolves into nothing but an outline at the end. I’ve … Read More Tip #5
Just as the beginning of your story is important, so is your ending. Perhaps more so. It’s what brings your reader back for your next story. It needs to be strong, crisp, and memorable. It needs to make your reader hungry for more.
Books about writing tell you you need to hook your reader by the end of the first 3 chapters. Really? Doesn’t that seem a bit long to you? I mean, if the first paragraph bores you, what are the chances you’ll read the second one? Or even buy the book? Every paragraph should pull the reader to the next one. Every sentence should entice … Read More Tip #3
I think many writers get stuck on writing the “Correct” way. There is no correct way, except as how it works for YOU. Writing is as individual a process as the writer. Some people begin at the beginning and march all the way through the story until it’s done. Some writers hop to different scenes as they envision them, and then tie them together … Read More Tip #2
I often get asked how long it took me to write one of my novels. The answer varies anywhere from 10 years to 6 months. I’d love to say the novels take less time the more I write, but that’s just not true. Each novel is different and has its own problems. I also get asked (a lot!) how many edits it takes for … Read More 3rd Draft
There are a million-zillion different character worksheets spread all over the web. These are designed to help you better understand your character. Nothing wrong with that. However, to help your readers to understand your character, some of this material actually has to make it into your story. Customize the details to fit your story. You know your character has red hair and walks with a … Read More Character Worksheets
I finished the second draft of To Be Phoenix, and I must say, I’m getting excited about this book. I think it’s going to be one of my best. Now to reward myself. I find that writers don’t do this often enough. Writing is hard work. It’s never-ending. In between the giddy highs of milestones, the work is frustrating, annoying, defeating, and infuriating. Why … Read More On Finishing
