First Page Critique
I believe it’s easiest to learn from example, so I’ll be doing this from time to time – analyzing a generous and brave writer’s donated work. Thank you for trusting me with your baby! This isn’t a bad beginning. My main points are: Remember, the reader comes cold to the page. You can’t even assume…
Read MoreHappy Women’s Fiction Day!
Never heard of it? Here’s what it is: So it isn’t just for women – it can be written by men (and it is!) and can even have a male protagonist. I was lucky enough to have my WF mentioned in the BookTrib post today. There are some wonderful books here! And it has…
Read MoreTrust Your Reader!
I am a very lean writer (not a lean person, mind you, that’s a different meeting). I think when you pare a sentence to its essence, making sure that every word is critical and sparkly, that’s when the power comes through. Many writers (and not just beginners) end up saying something more than once. It…
Read MoreWhy This Writing Thing is Soooo Hard – an Inspiring Post
I just got off a webinar with the amazingly brilliant Tex Thompson (you know she’s good if I used an adverb & an adjective!) I’m not giving away her secrets here (go take her classes), but one thing she said clicked hard with me. I work with new writers a lot. They ask me why…
Read MoreEssentials of a Writer’s Library Part III – Writer’s Life
Let’s talk about what I call, ‘Writer’s Life’ books. I have two sections of these in my library. I’m going to cheat and offer my faves from both sections Section 1: Those written by writers about how they write, with nuggets of wisdom for other writers On Writing – Stephen King is in…
Read MoreEssentials of a Writer’s Library – Part II – Editing
As promised, this is the second in my ‘Writer’s Library’ series. This segment is harder for me, because I hate editing with the passion of a kid having to eat asparagus. But, as Patricia Fuller said, ‘Writing without revising is the literary equivalent of waltzing gaily out of the house in your underwear.’ So…
Read MoreEssentials of a Writer’s Library – Part 1 Craft
I’ve been thinking about craft books lately, because I just read a fantastic one (more on that in a bit). Take a look at your craft book shelf…wait, you do have a craft book shelf, right? In my opinion, if you’re a serious writer, you’d better. I looked at mine and they seem to fall…
Read MoreWhat’s the Worst that Can Happen? Your Character’s Biggest Fear
I read a lot about craft. Books, blogs, articles, websites. I’m always looking to improve my craft. I know you are too, or you wouldn’t be reading this. One of my weaknesses is Plotting. I know these amazing characters – like Athena, they are born, fully formed. I’m just not so sure what they’re there…
Read MoreWord Pictures – Song Lyrics
I was chatting with an old friend via email this morning, and we were discussing song lyrics. It’s a favorite topic of mine, because I’ve always wanted to write them. After all, they’re just a hugely abbreviated form of writing. Mini Flash Fiction, with poetry thrown in. I love how songwriters can capture a mood…
Read MoreTwo Words to Strengthen Your Writing: Margie Lawson
I’ll bet this name is not new to you (if it is, check her out!) she’s been around for years. But have you taken any of her classes? Done a Fab 30? Been to an Immersion? If not, why? You can check out Lawson Writers Academy HERE. No, Margie doesn’t pay me for commercials. I’m…
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