If you babysit or have younger siblings, maybe you’ve had a child burst into your presence and start talking a mile a minute. Having no context, you probably stopped said kiddo after a minute or two and asked, “What ARE you talking about?” Readers need context. It would be a mistake to just dive in […]
Writing Lesson 2.9 – 10 Common Mistakes Writers Make
October 22, 2010 By 1 Comment
After teaching writing and critiquing many chapters for the past several years, I’ve come up with a list of the common mistakes I see in manuscripts.
Writing Lesson 2.6 – Formula for Success
October 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
All stories are based on a few basic formulas that make very good sense.
Writing Lesson 19 – Conflict of Values
January 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Creating Unforgettable Characters, Part 4 In my last post we explored Internal and External Goals. Each of us has things we value. It makes us ‘tick.’ We don’t always recognize, though, what our values or goals are. We roll on in life doing what we believe is right and never stop to ask why we act the way […]
Writing Lesson 13 – Digging for Goals
November 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Creating Unforgettable Characters, Part 3 Dig up a goal to motivate your characters into action. They will have depth and your story will come alive. Delve into each character’s personality and ask about the hidden fears, secrets, and the values. Find out what makes them tick. Interview the characters you’ve created. Ask about their external […]
