Before putting pen to paper, visualize your story. Imagine how it would read if in its most perfect form. For example, as writing my novel, “Windmill,” I visualized each line being read aloud …
One type of editing you can have done is copy editing.This generally includes:• Correcting spelling, capitalization, punctuation and obvious grammar errors• Ensuring the text is clear and…
Sita from the Bay Area recently wrote asking for tips about how the finish her novel. She’s about three-quarters the way through it.Her problem is not uncommon among writers. Many writers have…
“The best advice on writing I’ve ever received is to take it seriously, because to do it well is all-consuming.” – David Guterson“Stop aspiring and start writing. If you’re writing, you’…
Your story ought to feel to readers like a roller coaster ride. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you write a lot of action-adventure but that your tale contains a series of mini-climaxes, al…
Q: While reading the submission guidelines to a writing contest, the rules said “no cookie cutter stories.” What do they mean?A cookie cutter story is one that lacks originality because it is …
Successfully building a character in a story almost always is the one challenge a writer absolutely must get right. It’s also often the most difficult challenge facing any writer.To create a c…