Let's see if I can use point of view to make you want to reach out and slap me through the screen. That moment when you eat an apple and fat worms greet you with smiles on their faces. I threw that apple so hard I hurt my arm. She spun around, holding her arm, … Continue reading Unraveling Point of View: Can of Worms
Category: Writing Tips
NaNoWriMo Episode One: The Pantser Tries to Plants
As I gear up for my first NaNoWriMo, I find myself challenging my aspirations to plot ahead of time. I have an outline for book two, but I don't feel like working with it. I want to just slap all my written snippets together and sort it out. Bad...very bad pantser! I'm trying to be … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Episode One: The Pantser Tries to Plants
Who Can Compliment Authors’ Babies on Amazon
Nothing hurts more or feels better than reviews on your written work. But it seems hard to get reviews when authors are just starting out. Let's say you go into a grocery store with your baby and: Your babysitter happens to be shopping as well. She looks over and coos "my, chubby cheeks is looking … Continue reading Who Can Compliment Authors’ Babies on Amazon
Writer Pages: Do it right the first time
Hi friends! It's time. I am taking the plunge! This subdomain on WordPress.com will soon be redirected to my own domain. But whyyyyy? I don't like ads, and I already pay for my host site, so why not go for a more professional look. It's painful, I know. But followers have multiplied faster than I … Continue reading Writer Pages: Do it right the first time
The Why Test
"No, we can't go to the park." "But why?" "Because I said so." That never worked, did it? It doesn't work on readers either. If our stories can't pass the Why Test, there is a motivation problem. The problem may be even deeper than why we allow something to happen, or a character to act a certain way. Is the part/person in question justifiable?
Character Profiles
Do your characters justice and get to know them up close. They don't bite! Or do they?
Pantser vs. Plotter
In the beginning, there were Pantsers and Plotters. One group roamed the earth looking for meaning while the other group stayed put and told the earth what to do. Both groups had a very compelling idea of the earth when they were through, and both lived peacefully in their separate camps. Occasionally a few members would break off and camp in between the two, or cross over completely, but nobody took notice.
10 Observations on Beta Reading
It's your baby, and you're letting somebody else tell you what they like and don't like about it. Who does that to their children? The same people who know they must "kill your darlings". Thank you Stephen King for telling us how it is. For many, beta readers are a must. For some, they are a waste of time. You get to decide!