Scene endings that keep readers turning pages It’s easy to surmise that propelling readers from one scene to the next relies upon a dramatic closing hook, the evocative or provocative […]
Scene endings that make readers turn pages Read More »
Listen: Scene technique with The Editing Podcast Most people think they know what a scene is until they try writing one. (Isn’t that the way of most things involved in
Listen: Scene technique at The Editing Podcast Read More »
Should you keep working on this manuscript? New writers often arrive at my editorial doorstep with the same burning question: “Is my writing worth developing, or should I trash the
Writer’s Doubt: Should you keep working on this manuscript? Read More »
Scene structure: Common scene pitfalls The scene structure of goal-driven scenes is akin to the classic joke setup, “A _____ and a _____ walk into a bar …” A _____
Scene Structure: Common Goal-Driven Scene Pitfalls Read More »
Scene openings that suck readers in Skillful scene openings involve more than a provocative opening hook. A smooth opening ushers readers into the scene without immersion-breaking confusion or disorientation. The
Skillful scene openings for fiction Read More »
How interiority creates believable characters We’ve all read stories where the characters didn’t seem to be doing what a reasonable person would do in that situation. Heck, they’re not even
Will readers swallow your plot? Read More »
Book coaching vs. editing: What’s the difference? If you’re all about the credo “move fast and break things,” you may feel confident diving from writing into self-revision and then editing.
Book coaching vs. editing: What’s the difference? Read More »
3 action-reaction misfires that ruin your writing Action and reaction—everything in a story depends on what the characters do about whatever the story pits against them. Stiff, disconnected, or missing
3 action-reaction misfires that flatten your writing Read More »
Stop writing character voice as word choice Vocabulary and the way a character speaks are the outer layer of character voice—the icing on the cake. Instead of trying to build character voice
The secret to authentic character voice Read More »
The question every writer asks wrong “Is my writing good enough?” is one of the first questions most writers ask when they get in touch about editing or coaching. Unfortunately,
Is my writing good enough? Read More »
