Beyond the Basics—Push the Story and Push Yourself

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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A writer with a diva attitude can turn agents and publishers away. And such an attitude can keep a writer from producing his best work. Discover why it’s not good to be a one-manuscript diva.

Continue reading One-Manuscript Diva or Working Novelist? »

Some lists of writing tips are written for those looking for easy fixes, for those who want to play at being writers without taking on the work of writing. This list is not one of those.

Continue reading Tips for Writers—The Down and Dirty »

Most writers have heard the instruction that says to write what you know. I suggest that writers instead write about subjects that move them. Write from your passions.

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Some lament the seeming death of fiction—but maybe readers simply aren’t reading because writers aren’t creating stories that readers can enjoy. A reminder and an argument to write for the reader.

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Writer’s block is real and it can keep you from finishing your manuscripts. Consider strategies and options to overcome writer’s block.

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Compelling fiction means stories that engage the reader. And readers are engaged by conflict and tension, by friction between characters and between one character and himself or his surroundings. Explore ways to write boldly and without restraint to create conflict and tension.

Continue reading Take Off the Brakes—Write Boldly »

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

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Writing teachers pound it into us. Books on writing repeat it until we feel we’ve been beaten. And if we’re brave enough to put our work in front of our peers for review, we are pounded yet again—Show, Don’t Tell, our critics intone. But what is meant by this frequently repeated advice?

Continue reading Show and Tell—Not Just a Game We Play »

Story-specific words add an extra dimension to a story. They are beyond correct punctuation and grammar. They are deeper than plot and characterization. They go to a third level of writing, a level that deals with layers and symbols and meaning and rhythm. Mastery of the elements at this level assures the writer that each story is not only a good read but a great work.

Continue reading Story-specific Words—Fitting Word to Story »