Writers often do things that drive readers mad. They tend to forget what readers want #writingtips Click To Tweet They tend to write from the vantage point of their computers without thinking about the very human person savoring every word. Let’s look at what I call the 7 Deadly Sins that Writers Commit: Deadly sin […]
A Title That Says It all–#MeBeforeYou
I just finished reading #MeBeforeYou and was enthralled @jojomoyes Click To Tweet The book captured me with it’s simplicity and depth. As a writer I learn the most from reading. Fiction writers who don’t read fiction have no business writing novels #writingtips Click To Tweet Indeed, we all learn from each other. My last post […]
So You Wanna Write a Book–Take This Quiz
Recently I heard the shocking statistic 200 million Americans think they have a novel in them #writing #amwriting Click To Tweet Imagine that! It made me wonder about who manages to get that novel out and who does not. Clearly lots of people do not. I’m going to share this quiz to help you see […]
Meet My Characters Blog Hop–Say Hello to Janie!
I was invited by Sheri Chapman to participate in a blog hop. I interviewed Sheri on this blog. You can read more about her there. But, let me give you a short update. Sheri introduced us to Iva Valentino, the character in Eyes with No Soul in this post. Take a look a meet Iva. […]
Where do Your Fictional Characters Come From?
When reading fiction, I often wonder where do the characters come from Click To Tweet Where, for example, did Mr. Ripley of The Talented Mr. Ripley come from? Patricia Highsmith, the very talented suspense writer , developed a fascinating character in Mr. Ripley. He’s charming, but he kills people Click To Tweet He not only […]
5 Tips for Writing Action Scenes
For some writers creating action scenes comes easy. For others they are harder. I come from a journalism background. I learned how to write in short, distinct sentences and how to look for key points quickly. These traits make it easier for me to write action scenes than it might be for someone coming from […]
Eight Basics for Creative Writing
Recently I ran across Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Basics of Creative Writing. These 8 basics should be the foundation for novel writing 101. Unfortunately many novels break the rules. Some break the rules and create a successful novel; others break the rules and do not. In my view a novelist who breaks too many of these […]
Tips for Getting Your Fiction Published
If you aspire to be a fiction writer and think all you have to do is sit down to your computer and create, you will be very disappointed. Most writers eventually want to publish their work. They want family, friends and others to read what they’ve created. Here are some tips for gaining attention in […]
Martha Grimes Spoofs the Publishing Industry
Recently I read The Way of All Fish by Martha Grimes. If you want a good laugh or two, pick it up. Grimes, one of the best crime/mystery writers of our time, created the delicious Richard Jury, Scotland Yard hero, as well as casts of characters that kept readers inthralled for years. In this new […]
How Do You Develop Your Characters?
Recently an interviewer asked me the question, “What’s your process in developing your characters?” Here’s my answer: When I start a story, I have a protagonist in mind. That person becomes my main character. I have a vague idea of who some supporting characters might be, but many pop up as the story progresses. As an […]
