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- (or if they have cause to think the manuscript *isn't* complete) they're done. Again, read out loud, streamline, ti… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- Always include the ending. It's not a clever teaser to leave that off in a selling document you're sending to agent… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- Use clear, specific descriptors and strong verbs. I usually bold character names when they are first introduced, an… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- For a full synopsis (usually 3-5 pages, single spaced, third person, present tense), I suggest drafting it stream-o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
- An SF novel with romantic elements (that's the marketplace) about a retired dominatrix living in San Francisco (tha… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 19 hours ago
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Category Archives: writing advice
Pitching a Novel: Nailing Your Synopsis
This is the third in a series on pitching your novel, my take on the topic–for many more answers, follow the blog chain led by Joshua Palmatier, editor and author! In the meantime, read on. . . Personally, I think … Continue reading
The Query Quandary: Pitching Your Novel
The novel pitching advice and experience continues today, with the all-important query. For more advice, check out Joshua Palmatier’s hub of all things pitching! Okay, so you’ve got a killer pitch line, and a finished manuscript, and you’re ready for … Continue reading
Crafting Your Pitch, Elevator Style
This week for all the aspiring novelists out there, Joshua Palmatier invited a bunch of us to share our stories and advice about three stages of pitching a book. Find more entries here–and happy pitching! I love me a good … Continue reading
After “The End”
I have had the experience several times now of reading a book that I am very much enjoying–right up until the end. Then the work either fizzles out, simply stops, or blatantly kicks me in the teeth (as a reader). … Continue reading
Posted in books, essays, fiction, Uncategorized, writing, writing advice
Tagged books, endings, how to write, novels, writing advice
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Reading like a Writer
One of the dangers of crossing the line from reader to writer is that it changes the way you read. For me, it makes me impatient with bad style, slow starters, lack of tension and plot holes. I am much … Continue reading
The Mentor Who Knew Too Much
I often read unpublished manuscripts, either because I am paid to critique or edit them, or because I am trading beta-reading with author friends. Recently, I’ve read several manuscripts with a common flaw: a secondary character who knows almost everything, … Continue reading
Posted in character development, essays, fantasy, fiction, movies, writing, writing advice
Tagged character development, Dumbledore, Gandalf, Lord of the Rings, mentor character, Obi-wan Kenobi, Star Wars, writing
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Book Promotion: Nobody Cares about your Crazy Names (sorry!)
Once again, I have had the opportunity to read someone’s blurb for their fantasy novel. You see these things all over the place–on advertising materials at conventions, on the back covers of books, on blogs or in emails asking you … Continue reading
Posted in book promotion, books, essays, fantasy, marketing, Uncategorized, writing advice
Tagged blurb writing, book promotion, cover copy, marketing fantasy novel, writing advice
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Climbing back on the Bandwagon
In the last couple of months, I have sadly fallen off of several bandwagons: the blogging bandwagon, the exercise bandwagon, the music practice bandwagon, lately the vegetarian diet bandwagon. I say “sadly” because these are all things I would have … Continue reading
Dear Writers, Welcome the New Year with Change
Hey, it’s 2014! I have a lot to look forward to, like a royalty statement that will definitively answer the question, “How’s Elisha Barber doing?” And the release of Elisha Magus in July, which I’ll be sure to talk lots … Continue reading
Posted in character development, essays, fantasy, writing, writing advice
Tagged 2014, change, resolutions, writing, writing advice
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Skinning your Own Apes: Researching from Primary Sources
An article in the Stanford magazine this month talks about a new method of teaching history to high schoolers using primary source material, having the teens read several documents about an incident and draw their own conclusions based on the … Continue reading
Posted in books, fiction, historical medicine, history, medieval, research, worldbuilding, writing advice
Tagged fantasy, history, medieval, medieval medicine, research, resource, writing process
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