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Great Expectations vs. Realistic Ones

August 7, 2012 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Many writers have great expectations for their first novel manuscript. But are those expectations realistic? A look at what you can expect of your first novel.

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Step Outside Your Story World

May 2, 2012 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Writers often become so lost in their stories that they can’t look at them dispassionately. Remember to step back and away from your fiction so you can get a true picture of a story.

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What To Write First When Writing Fiction

February 21, 2012 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Writers sometimes don’t know how to begin writing a new story, but you can begin anywhere, with any story element. You can begin at any point in the story.

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Why I Would Decline an Edit

December 7, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

I don’t take on every manuscript that’s sent to me for editing. The simple reason is that many are not ready for a professional edit. A look at my reasons for turning down an edit.

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Multi-Tasking Characters or Impossible Actions?

July 27, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Characters look phony and unreal, making fiction seem unreal, when writers give them concurrent actions that can’t possibly happen at the same time.

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Writing Basics—The Paragraph

March 15, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

There’s much more to a paragraph than what you learned way back when. See what your paragraphs can and should be doing for your stories.

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Clear and Simple Writing Advice

March 10, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

New writers need to hear it for the first time and experienced writers need reminders—basic writing advice.

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The First Draft—What it is and What it isn’t

January 23, 2011 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

A novel’s first draft is never the final product. Learn both what’s missing from a first draft and what should be taken out to make it a better manuscript.

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How to Write a Novel

November 27, 2010 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

How to write a novel—everyone has advice. This is mine. Tips for writing the novel you always said you’d write.

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Invite Readers into Your Story

August 11, 2010 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Invite readers into your story with a compelling open. Readers want to be enticed into new worlds—make yours an attractive one, a world readers will willingly step into, willingly stay in while your fictional events unfold.

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