Writers, does your main character have an overriding goal for the middle section of your book? One that makes him or her reach outside his comfort zone, again and again? In a sense, could you call him a hero on a journey? Or is your main character dodging something, reacting to the actions of others, […]
How to shorten your journey to becoming an author
In my nine-year apprenticeship as a novel writer, I first learned the mechanics of writing a good scene. A crackerjack critique group quickly taught me point-of-view nuances and the difference between showing and telling. I already knew some of the other basics from my nonfiction writing, such as using strong verbs. My first few pages […]
How a seat-of-the-pants writer can avoid rabbit trails
Most of the writers I have met seem to write mostly by the seat of the pants, meaning letting the muse take them through a scene rather than plotting it all out first. These are the “pantsters.” But there are some who dream up the story, plot it all out, and write it up. These […]
Four elements that every flash fiction story needs
Sick of writing your novel? Sure, I may be biased since I run Splickety Magazine, a flash fiction publication dedicated to showcasing the country’s best quick fic with kick, but we all know how difficult it can be to finish a novel. The solution? Write some flash fiction (a short story 1,000 words or less). […]