Blue Square

Writer

Life lessons

on the craft

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.

May 1, 2021
4 min

Constructing Show, Don't Tell

Our brains use inductive logic; thus, pairing two specific actions together gives the readers all they need to understand.

Apr 1, 2021
4 min

Deeper Than "Show, Don't Tell"

In order to SHOW your character’s emotions, you need to know WHY the character feels that way. This is not as simple as it sounds.

Mar 1, 2021
4 min

Secrets of "Show Don't Tell"

Narrative will not deliver a feeling alone. Instead, zoom in. Give the image of an action that creates the feeling. Here's how.