Time and Pace in novels ‘I jumped out of the helicopter, bullets whizzing close enough to nick one arm. Then only air hit me and that was hard enough to confuse with bullets. Free fall was not what I’d had in mind for the afternoon and, if the ‘chute didn’t open, my planner was cleared for good.’ Pacy, exciting, all-action, in the style of a thriller and making the reader want to know who’s after the narrator, how s/he will survive and what adventures will follow. Suppose the book carries on … [Read more...] about Time and Pace in writing novels – Guest Post by Jean Gill @writerjeangill
Creating a Detailed Back Story for my Main Characters – Guest Post by Ann Streetman @AnnStreetman
Character development for novels entails creating a detailed back story for the lead characters. For me, it is important to create the back story for the main characters before I start the plot. I may know in general where the story is going and how it will end, but for detailed plotting I must know what these particular characters would and would not do. For the female lead, I want to have in writing when and where she was born; a little information about her parents; where she lived before … [Read more...] about Creating a Detailed Back Story for my Main Characters – Guest Post by Ann Streetman @AnnStreetman
How to Write a Series – Guest Post by Lynne Cantwell @LynneCantwell
There are series, and then there are series – and the technique for writing each type is different. First I’ll explain what the types are, and then I’ll go into a little bit of detail about the the way I write mine. First, you have your open-ended series. You see this a lot in mysteries, in thrillers, and in YA books, as well as in many TV series. In each book, or in each episode of the show, a strong main character or ensemble is placed in a new situation, and must work toward some … [Read more...] about How to Write a Series – Guest Post by Lynne Cantwell @LynneCantwell
The Poet In You – Guest Post by Damon Ferrell Marbut
Being asked to write about myself as a poet was initially a terrible idea. But it wasn’t my idea which is why I rebelled. Then it was great because I recognized I put up obstacles to discussing who I am as Novelist versus Editor versus Poet. It’s the same thing. I’m the same person. There is no air or pretension or label to subscribe to. It’s just about words and falling in love with them the same way I fall over and over again for my partner and feel deeply affectionate and grateful for my … [Read more...] about The Poet In You – Guest Post by Damon Ferrell Marbut
Plus-sized Heroines – Guest Post by Tory Richards
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are bald, have long hair, tattoos, piercings. Some drive trucks, ride motorcycles, or fly. They are tall, not so tall, and come in all shades of color. They have fangs, claws, scars, and most of them all have one thing in common. They are sexy to the heroine in some way. But what’s to say heroines can’t be the same way? Back when I began reading in my teens (a long time ago) it seemed heroines came from the same mold. They were flawless, beautiful … [Read more...] about Plus-sized Heroines – Guest Post by Tory Richards
WHAT MAKES A MEMORABLE NOVEL? – Guest Post by Dianne Harman @DianneDHarman
I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a book worthy of being recommended. What are the elements that make for a memorable read? I’m convinced there’s no formula. If there were, novels would be cookie cutter versions of one another and they’re certainly not. So what are the elements of a novel that make people talk about it and read other books written by the author? This is not going to be a blog about “How to Write the Perfect Novel.” Writing workshops, seminars, books on writing – all … [Read more...] about WHAT MAKES A MEMORABLE NOVEL? – Guest Post by Dianne Harman @DianneDHarman
Why Give Your Book Away? Guest Post by Shawn Inmon
Shawn Inmon is doing a multi-part guest post series on how and why to give your book away as part of a master marketing plan. Here is part one: There’s something counter-intuitive about working on a project for months and maybe even years, and then giving it away for free to the general public. Still, that’s what authors have been doing for a little over a year, since Amazon introduced the KDP Select program. Now, whether or not it is a good idea for an author to give away their … [Read more...] about Why Give Your Book Away? Guest Post by Shawn Inmon
