Subtracting Time
Many writers add more words in an effort to explain or justify. The more effective solution is to go back to fix. More is not always better.
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Life lessons
on the craft
Life lessons
on the craft
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Writer
Life lessons
on the craft
- May 1
- 4 min
The Immediate Flashback
The most misused and dangerous use of Flashback is – what I have come to call – the Immediate Flashback or interrupting backstory.
- Apr 1
- 4 min
Suspending Disbelief
Character's unique abilities put them in strange places, but if you include too many details about abilities, you bore the reader.
- Mar 2
- 3 min
Word-Time & Real-Time
The ratio is simple: the amount of words used to show the action is inversely proportional to the time that action requires.
- Feb 1
- 4 min
Forcing Characters
Don’t be fooled – characters will not suddenly become real people, capable of reaching out from your computer to type their own story.
- Jan 2
- 4 min
Trusting Implications
You must trust your skill, of course. But more than anything, trust your readers. They’re a lot smarter than you might think.
- Dec 1, 2022
- 3 min
Want to See More
You've finished! Hooray! Now, how do you make sense of the feedback your beta readers give?
- Nov 1, 2022
- 3 min
Struggle Happy & Embrace Conflict
The fun in reading comes from watching how a character achieves a goal despite lacking the skill that makes the goal easy.
- Oct 2, 2022
- 3 min
Starting a Novel: The Pantser & The Planner
Whether you're a Pantser or a Planner, starting a novel is the same -- start with "The Decision"
- Sep 1, 2022
- 3 min
Write What You Know
When you fake that truth or over-/under- sentimentalize a truth, it comes across as bad writing.
- Aug 2, 2022
- 3 min
Writer's Block
If you’ve been writing for even a short time, you’ve sat down to write and you've struggled.
- Jul 2, 2022
- 3 min
Rate of Reveal
We start our readers with easy level walking – introducing our characters, giving a brief show of what their world is.
- Jun 2, 2022
- 4 min
Small Nuances
The difference between good writing and Good! writing is not in the major issues.
- May 2, 2022
- 3 min
Choosing Equipment
Motivations for writing can differ far more than types of skis. But no matter what the goal, every writer needs to use the right equipment.
- Apr 2, 2022
- 4 min
Writing Fearlessly
I needed to go big or go home. If you want to be a better writer, you need to be brave or put down the pen.
- Mar 2, 2022
- 5 min
To Be Basics
The biggest mistake I see with beginning writers is their paucity of knowledge when it comes to mechanics and grammar.
- Feb 2, 2022
- 3 min
Right & Wronger
What works for one writer may not work for another. One writer may be able to break rules that another cannot.
- Jan 2, 2022
- 4 min
The Voices in my Head
Pick one character or action and explain its importance to yourself. Ask yourself over and over again those important writer questions.
- Dec 1, 2021
- 3 min
Copying Originality
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But it’s also a lot like copying.
- Nov 1, 2021
- 4 min
Physical Descriptions
I don’t like to include physical descriptions of my characters in my writing. I’m often accused of this fault.
- Oct 1, 2021
- 3 min
Amateur Expectations
On a Thursday night, I listened to a poet read his newest stuff.
- Sep 1, 2021
- 4 min
(Syn)Tactics in Fight Scenes
Readers need “take a breath” moments in a fight scene. Like swimmers holding their breath, eventually they need to come up for air.
- Aug 1, 2021
- 4 min
Avoid Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is an end result. A new self-revelation is a great denouement. But until the character has struggled to learn, hold off.
- Jul 1, 2021
- 4 min
Take Your Time to Publish
Take the time to learn the skills, to learn the craft, to develop your talent. People will be reading books forever. You have time. Take it.
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