Find Your Writer’s Voice: How to Kill the Faux Writer
Learn how to listen for your genuine voice as you silence that demon, The Faux Writer, who may persistently be trying to intrude.
How to Begin Your Novel — and Why Beginnings Are Important
The beginning of a story is crucial. It can make the difference in gaining the attention of a prospective agent, acquisitions editor, and ultimately the reader. So, how do you start? Here are some suggestions to help you find your beginning.
Fiction, Memoir, and the Machine of Story
If you’re finding that your narrative’s energy is flagging, try pinpointing your protagonist’s defining characteristic. Here’s how that can help your story.
Show, Don’t Tell: Writing 101 for Fiction and Memoir
What “Show, Don’t Tell” really means: how to write fiction or memoir that keeps your reader engaged.
Tricks of the Editing Trade: Word, Track Changes, and the Master Document
Deliver your document to your editor in Word, use Track Changes, and maintain one master document to save time and money.
Why Beta Reader Feedback Can Be Invaluable
Is your creative vision on your pages? Here’s how you can find out.
The Power of Place in Story
If place wields such power, why do we sometimes relegate it to a secondary role when writing story?
TMI Is Not Your Friend
The devil is in the details: thoughts and pointers for keeping your writing TMI-free.
Reading Your Work Aloud—a Crucial Step in Your Writing Process
As contemporary writers, we can still benefit tremendously by listening to the words we’ve written. In fact, reading our work aloud is an essential step in the writing process.
14 Tips on How to Write Good Dialogue
With good dialogue, a character’s words come alive on the page and connect with us. Good dialogue will keep that prospective literary agent turning the pages and the reader wanting more.