Straight talk from the sisters about blood, sweat and ink
We recently had a guest join us to talk about creating characters with good character. If you haven’t read that post, I strongly suggest you do, since creating likable characters is always a hot topic with writers. However, it turns out I’m a contrarian. I’m crazy about unlikable characters that run from those skirting the …
Continue reading “The Back-up Antagonist”
Writers put a lot of pressure on themselves regarding the first line of a story. I don’t know if it was always this way, but in our fast-paced world there is this expectation that writers must hook readers with just one sentence. Otherwise, they will pick up the next book on the shelf! Whether this …
Continue reading “Two Components of a Great Opening Sentence”
Today we bring you a guest post from one of our newer blogging friends, Shawn Griffith. Shawn runs a blog called Down Home Thoughts, and his site is packed with old-fashioned wit and wisdom. He’s on WriteOnSisters to talk about character, a topic near and dear to his heart. In fact he’s conducting a survey …
Continue reading “Do Your Characters have Character?”
If we were having coffee, I would brew enough caffeine to keep me alert for a week. The truth is, it’s been pretty crazy at my house lately. We’re in the final countdown to the end of the school year and the kids are like sharks smelling blood in the water. They know summer freedom …
Continue reading “Weekend Coffee Share – Going Batty”
Every writer I know is already working harder than they ever thought possible. They sacrifice evenings and weekends with families to make their writing dreams come true. Since we can’t work faster, we need to work smarter. Try one of these writer hacks–or try them all. Either way, you will enjoy a boost to your …
Continue reading “5 Life Hacks For Writers”
The following #writingtips apply to all stories, but especially short ones where every scene must be essential. Happy Short Story Month! When I plot a story, I tend to think in terms of action. This is probably due to my screenwriter training. In a screenplay all you have to work with is action and dialogue. …
Continue reading “Test That Scene – Is it Essential or Filler?”
If we were having coffee, I’d have you over to my house so I could chat and clean at the same time. I have to get ready for our biannual Grilled Cheese Party! This is also a birthday party since my boyfriend and I are both May babies. Birthdays are a great excuse to see friends, though I’m …
Continue reading “Weekend Coffee Share – Grilled Cheese & Gaming”
Short Story Month continues. Are you excited yet? I hope so! Now that you know, thanks to Heather’s last post, if your story idea is more suited to a short story or a novel, we take this discussion into the grey area between the two by talking about serial fiction. Serials come in many forms, …
Continue reading “3 Advantages & Disadvantages of Writing a Serial”
Not counting my childhood Young Authors books (for a hilarious selection of those click here), I have written only one short story: a grim ghost tale featured in Pen & Muse’s Haunted House showcase. However, I’ve written many television episodes, which resemble short stories in length and substance. Writing a novel, by comparison, is like …
Continue reading “Is Your Idea a Short Story or Novel?”
May is short story month. In honor of the event, Heather and I have a few treats planned this month. Hopefully you are taking part in a contest, or perhaps just letting the event inspire you to dash off a short story (or two) for the writing practice. If so, here are my six favorite …
Continue reading “Six Don’t-Skip Short Story Tips”