by David Rawlings, @DavidJRawlings I find characters memorable when they have a certain something that stays with me when they’re gone. That doesn’t mean they’ve got the stereotypical chiseled jaw and swept hairline, but it’s more that they’ve got a habit that is quirky. Quirky can be memorable. Like the character that sucks in air through his teeth while he’s thinking. Or …
Line Edits: Taking Your Novel from Mediocre to Marvelous
by Rachel D. Russell, @RDRussellWrites I recently completed my first line edits on a manuscript. I won’t even venture a guess as to how my editor’s mind can keep track of all the things. Like the fact that my heroine shrugged her shoulder 98,625 times in the novel (really, she’s not as apathetic as that might make her sound). Or, my hero, …
It’s All About Character
by Katherine Reay, @Katherine_Reay Our ability to engage our readers comes down to the characters we share with them. Compelling characters make a rich and rewarding story — and keep readers wanting more. Even if you write fast-paced, plot-driven fiction, readers will only travel that road with you if your protagonist is worthy of the chase. How do we create these “jump …
When it feels overwhelming…
I watched 6 hours of New Girl yesterday. Not necessarily on purpose. Yesterday morning, we took our kids to the airport, our epic two week family vacation in Florida, over. (*sob!*) Then we returned home, cleaned the house and flopped onto the sofa. I pushed play on Neflix and four hours later woke up to see that we were on …
Sketching Scenes
Sarah Sundin, @sarahsundin Ever had one of your characters shake someone’s hand—but a few sentences earlier he was carrying a huge box? Ever had a scene filled with cute banter—but nothing happens? We’ve all done something similar. One time I almost set a side character’s hair on fire when he scratched his head—I forgot he had a cigarette in hand (sorry …
Writing Challenge: Write A Book In A Month
by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall Has your writing been lagging? Not motivated to finish or keep going? How about a challenge? You game? I’m going to write a book during the month of August. Last week I realized summer is almost over and I’m behind on my writing goals, embarrassingly so. Yes, I’m busy. We all are, right? I was moaning to a …
What Would You Tell Your Pre-published Self?
by Patricia Bradley, @PTBradley1 As I stare at the cursor blinking on the first page of my thirteenth novel, my mind searches for anything to write except what I know I must. I have a deadline looming and I only have one chapter written. The beginning of a book is the hardest for me. I don’t know my characters nearly well …
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