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Writing Tips

Three Editing Strategies That Can Make a Real Difference
 Three Editing Strategies That Can Make a Real Difference 1024 576 Reader Views
Once you written and slaved over a manuscript and revised and nursed it through several iterations, the last thing you want to do is to slough through even more editing tasks. I get it. Sometimes, after I’ve put in hundreds of hours to write and strengthen my work, taking one or two more hours to do even more editing seems like a bridge too far. But I’ve found these three editing strategies—which don’t take that much time—can make a huge difference in how a piece reads. These are hardly new, but the changes they exact can be dramatic. read more
How Improv Comedy Made Me a Better Writer
 How Improv Comedy Made Me a Better Writer 1024 576 Reader Views
The basic premise of improv is that scenes are made up live on stage in front of an audience.  Terrifying and hilarious, improv is a form that exists every moment in the creative place where artists surprise themselves and their scene partners… don’t writers perform improv every time we pick up a pen? read more
The Age Old Question of Plotting vs. Pantsing
 The Age Old Question of Plotting vs. Pantsing 1024 576 Reader Views
The question of how to approach writing your novel—whether you should plot out every detail or “write by the seat of your pants”—has been raised and answered more times than I can count. On this issue, I’ve learned much from several great writers, from Stephen King to William Kent Kreuger to Stephanie Evanovich. And I’ve tried to put these lessons to work in crafting the narratives of my new series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries. There is no perfect advice here, but perhaps my observations may prove helpful. read more
“Writing about Imaginary Playmates”
 “Writing about Imaginary Playmates” 1024 576 Reader Views
I never understood why my mother insisted that my friends Nappy and Cordy were imaginary. They talked to me, told me stories, and were just as real as Alison or Charles or Kathy. I certainly didn’t see any difference, except possibly that they told better stories. read more
Writing About Controversial Topics
 Writing About Controversial Topics 1024 576 Reader Views
The key factor to remember when creating controversial agit-prop fiction is to write a story that someone who is opposed to your desired change will find engaging enough to read. read more
Closet Writers Unite: What is a writing collective?
 Closet Writers Unite: What is a writing collective? 1024 576 Reader Views
Many writers prefer to work alone, but at some point, all writers need feedback on their writing, or at least encouragement and a chance to share ideas with other writers to find out what works and what doesn’t. read more
A Truly Apt Setting Sets a Story Apart
 A Truly Apt Setting Sets a Story Apart 1024 576 Reader Views
Any good writer knows the importance of the right setting for their narrative, of creating the appropriate “world” the reader can inhabit for hours at a time. While this is a common mantra for science fiction writers—world building is a critical part of that genre—it is equally true for all fictional genres including mysteries. Sometimes this “world” can be as familiar as a small resort town or as unusual as a completely different time or place, even one the reader has never experienced. read more
“Maybe Writers SHOULD Sweat the Small Stuff”
 “Maybe Writers SHOULD Sweat the Small Stuff” 1024 576 Reader Views
Most of the time we think a novel’s success depends on good plots, great writing and engaging main characters, and we’d be right. But, as I’ve read and studied some of my favorite authors, I’ve come to realize that these talented writers invest considerable time and effort in creating real, three dimensional characters for even their minor players. read more
Does Your Writing Reek of Narrative Destroyers?
 Does Your Writing Reek of Narrative Destroyers? 1024 576 Reader Views
A humorous (painful?) look into how narrative destroyers are out to sabotage your writing… read more
Artist Draws Himself by J.V. Rivard
The Big Switch – Writing Outside Your Genre
 The Big Switch – Writing Outside Your Genre 460 345 Reader Views
Award-winning author, J.B. Rivard provides tips on writing outside your genre, based on his experience writing Low on Gas–High on Sky, a nonfiction book of narrative history. read more