How do you know for sure if the middle of your manuscript is sagging? I mean, it’s absolutely brilliant when you write it, several of your colleagues have beta read it and gave mostly praise, so you’re good to go… Read More ›
plot
Editing Tip # 116 – Question Everything
Whether you’re a planner or a pantser, it’s important to both ask and answer those hard questions about your newly completed novel (or even that one you’re dusting off). Does it make sense? Where might a reader get lost? Why?… Read More ›
Editing Tip #103 – Finding Balance
If you have read more than 3 of my editing tips, you’ll know that I’m a strong proponent for balance when it comes to taking advice and utilizing techniques in your writing. But what about the actual story? What happens… Read More ›
Discovery and Illusion in Our Own Writing
I have always loved the idea that our characters can lead us places we never expected a story to go. If you’ve never experienced this in your writing then I urge you to give yourself the freedom to explore. I’m… Read More ›
Editing Tip #62
Where Do I Start? I have been approached by a few NaNoWriMo winners about what to do now that they have this mass of writing (1st draft nearly finished). Many have some of the manuscript handwritten and the rest typed… Read More ›
Editing Tip #24
Avoiding Info Dump, Pt 3 ~ Action in a story is better than inaction – right? Not necessarily. If too much is happening in one scene, a reader’s mind will turn into a computer and flash “information overload.” Not really,… Read More ›
Editing Tip #7
A practical use for the idea of an oxymoron: We all know that an oxymoron means to place two contradictory terms together – like Jumbo-shrimp. Now, take that concept a step farther and make it relevant to an idea… A… Read More ›
