Reposted: How To Depict Characters Living In Sin Without Endorsing Their Choices

Good thoughts here, readers. Check it out! HOW TO DEPICT CHARACTERS LIVING IN SIN WITHOUT ENDORSING THEIR CHOICES Has your work-in-progress ever taken a dark turn? You thought you were writing about teenagers falling in love for the first time, but instead you ended up with scenes where the characters crossed physical boundaries. Or maybe your …

Reposted – Subplots: do’s and don’ts

A worthy read and reminder! Check it out! Subplots: do's and don'ts There’s nothing quite like hitting the 67,000-word mark and then having to backtrack because the story no longer works. Stepping back and taking a good look, a really hard look at why is not my favorite. First, I’m mad that this story which …

Reposted: The Author as Hunter

An excellent meditation, readers. Enjoy! The Author as Hunter Cedar Sanderson April 20, 2024 ““It isn’t like that at all; it isn’t like building—not a bit. In building, you see, you know beforehand what it’s going to be like; at least, I suppose you do. I mean, it would never do to start off building a …

Reposted – On Editing: Pen and Paper

Just a little editing advice that might come in handy, readers! On Editing: Pen and Paper One of my main editing tools is a printer. Long story short – when you’re writing, you get wrapped up in your own head. This is, of course, necessary; in order to get the story out on the page, first …

Reposted: Narrative summary: tell, don’t show, and when it’s a good idea.

A worthy reminder, readers. Check it out! Narrative summary: tell, don’t show, and when it’s a good idea. Dorothy Grant April 7, 2024 I find it a little weird to be the one writing this, as I have long harbored a hatred of infodumps. So, why am I writing in defense of tell, don’t show? Because …

Reposted: “No Nights (or Chapters) Off.” And Other Grown Up Lessons From Reading to My Kids

This is a good reminder, readers. Check it out! “No Nights (or Chapters) Off.” And Other Grown Up Lessons From Reading to My Kids There has been one single experience that taught me more about storytelling than anything else in my life: telling bedtime stories to my children. Live audiences can be merciless; ask any …

Reposted: Weekly Time Management

With thanks to Foxfier for pointing me to this link. We all need this reminder, future authors! Weekly Time Management Novel Ninja March 18, 2024 In Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Death reminds someone that “You lived what anybody else gets. You got a lifetime.” Everyone has an equal amount of time each day. How you use it …

Reposted: Writing foreign dialogue, accents, and telepathy

This is some excellent advice, readers. Click the link to learn more! Writing foreign dialogue, accents, and telepathy With the release of the Shōgun remake I thought this would be a good subject to tackle. About 50% of the films I watch are in a foreign language. I don’t typically watch with English dubs because the lips …

Reposted: Promotional Ephemera

I have Canva, readers. It is easy to use and has a free tier with a lot of options, if you cannot subscribe monthly to it. Until then, check out this important piece! Promotional Ephemera Last week’s post was about the physical, hold it in your hand and give it to a potential reader. This …

Reposted: How Heroes (Don’t) Change the World

An excellent and important point is made in this article, readers. I highly recommend this article, particularly if you are writing adventure fiction. This is advice that is sorely needed today.  HOW HEROES (DON’T) CHANGE THE WORLD The final pages of an epic tale are often my favorite, holding bittersweetness that touches me deeply. The full impact of …