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Deep POV—What’s So Deep About It

November 16, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Deep POV has become the most common point of view for current fiction, but some writers are unfamiliar with it. Read about deep POV and learn tips on how to use it for your stories.

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No Explanation Necessary

November 11, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

A reader’s belief in your fictional world and characters can be easily destroyed. One way is when writers intrude into the story with explanations that have no place in the fiction. Resist the urge to explain.

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Check Your Facts

November 7, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Facts or setting details that are out of era or simply wrong weaken stories and distract readers. Check your story facts, check setting details, to keep stories tight and enjoyable.

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Bad Dialogue—Bad, Bad Dialogue

November 3, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

We’ve all seen bad, laugh-worthy dialogue. Examples of bad dialogue and ways to avoid writing it.

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Dialogue—My Characters Talk Too Much

October 25, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Are your characters more than verbal, talking more than they do anything else? Determine if your characters talk too much and learn some fixes for getting them to shut up.

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Character Reaction—Make Your Characters Respond

October 20, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Character reaction propels story from initial event to climax and resolution. Remember to include character responses as your plot progresses.

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Setting—The Place and Time of Story

October 15, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Setting is the place and time of story. It can include physical locale and social milieu and the props that characters handle as they move through the story.

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Beyond the Basics—Push the Story and Push Yourself

October 9, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Writing advice tends to focus on the basics, but many writers are beyond simple basics. Encouragement for successful and published writers who nonetheless want to improve their writing skills.

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Clothe Characters Well—Choose Words that Fit

October 7, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Stories can gain strength and meaning when the words we use suit characters and genre and story events. Create memorable stories by clothing characters with words that fit.

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How Goes the Flow in Your Story?

October 1, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Story passages have a rhythm, a pattern, a sound. Yet I don’t want to talk about rhythm so much as I do flow. Rhythm can affect flow, but it’s only one element that can. Let’s look at other story elements that can interfere with flow. Stories should flow, move along without impediment, and lead ever […]

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