Ordinary People Are Just Plain Boring
I want to talk a little about the introduction of your protagonist. The opening of your book presents a key…
Am I Crazy or What?
You want to be a what?? Are you crazy?? Let’s see—years of grueling hard work, rejection, frustration, terrible odds, impossible-to-reach…
A Word You May Have No Need Of
Another word you usually don’t need is of. I spend almost as much time taking out of as I do…
Hook ‘Em on the First Cast
If you look at your first page checklist , you’ll see that the first three elements I discussed last week—introduction…
Pay It Forward in Community to Reap Blessings
Today’s guest post is from Melissa Foster, founder of the World Literary Café community. We’ve been delving into the concept of…
That That Might Not Be That Necessary
“That that that that writer used is unnecessary . . .” Many of my clients will tell you I have…
3 Things You Must Have in Your Novel’s First Paragraph
I gave you my spiel last time on plotting and planning your novel in advance. I promise not to smack…
No Writer Is an Island
Writing for Your Life is all about being part of a tribe or community of other authors who want to…
Each Thing Must Be the Same
Do you remember the old Sesame Street shows? I grew up singing that song that asks “Which of these things doesn’t belong?”…