Straight talk from the sisters about blood, sweat and ink
As a freelance writer, holidays have never been a big deal to me, perhaps because I often work right through them. But this year is different; last month I got a job coaching kids gymnastics on top of my freelance writing career. Oh yeah, and I’m still trying to write a novel during my diminishing …
Continue reading “Top 6 Ways Writers Spend the Holidays”
When it comes to writing for teenagers, the general rule regarding language is this: Don’t use slang in your YA novel. I abide by this rule, yet it’s come to my attention that I may be using slang accidentally! WTF? Let’s back up for a second and state why putting slang in your YA novel …
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It’s another Archive Revive because I just got a new writing gig and am super busy! Currently, I’m sifting through feedback from the clients, so this re-post is appropriate… Originally posted on Jan. 20, 2014. Updated Nov. 30, 2015 It’s been so long since I was in school that I can’t even remember if the …
Continue reading “How To Handle Feedback: 6 Do’s & Don’ts”
This year was my first participating in the legendary National Novel Writing Month. I’m a slow writer and never felt up for the challenge, but 2015 is apparently “The Year Heather Faces Intimidating Challenges,” so I gave it a go. I even made a plan: A Slow Writer’s Scheme to Win NaNoWriMo. So how’d I …
Continue reading “Results of a Slow Writer’s First #NaNoWriMo”
Hey NaNaWriMo writers! How’s it going? It’s mid-November and that means you’re deep in Act II and might be encountering some mushy middle difficulties. So here are some tips to get you through… [Click on the titles to read the whole blog post.] Mapping the Mushy Middle The key to not getting lost in the …
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Last week I shared Ten Questions To Ask Your Characters to make sure the supporting cast is as well-rounded as the protagonist. But that’s just step one to developing a novel’s cast. Now that we know who everyone is, what they want, and what their role is in the story, it’s time to figure out …
Continue reading “Character Development: The Interaction Chart”
A week before NaNoWriMo began, I realized I didn’t know my supporting characters. Whoops! I had spent so much time figuring out my plot based on my heroine’s goal that I had neglected all the other characters, of which there are many because I’m writing a horror and a body count is required! But I …
Continue reading “Top Ten Things Writers Should Ask Their Characters”
Sometimes when I’m reading a book, a scene takes me right out of the story because I don’t “buy” it. It’s not that what is taking place is completely implausible, it’s that the writer has not convinced me of its truth. I have faith that a skilled writer can make a reader believe anything. The …
Continue reading “Reading for Writers 101: Resolving a Disconnect Between Show & Tell”
I’ve just signed up for NaNoWriMo for the first time EVER. Here’s proof: As a hardcore plotter, I’ve never felt ready to participate. I can’t even fathom writing 50,000 words of prose without a solid outline. Plus, I’m not a fast writer. My inner editor and I are a team, not enemies, and I like …
Continue reading “A Slow Writer’s Scheme to Win #NaNoWriMo”
I confess I’m having trouble with my Act I. This is unusual for me. Typically I find setting up the story the easy part compared to Act II & III. So what’s wrong? After picking my first half dozen scenes apart and rewriting them multiple times, the problem finally became clear: The Inciting Incident lacks …
Continue reading “The Inciting Incident: Problem vs Opportunity”