A “bestseller” isn’t the only successful book. There’s another definition of success, and it can’t be captured in numbers.
Writing Articles
Beta Readers & the Junk Drawer
Giving a draft of a work in progress is a major milestone–and an awful lot like inviting someone to snoop around the house. It’s also magic.
The Elements of Genre
A book’s genre is a clue about the balance between the main drivers of story – plot, character, or setting.
On Writing What You Know
If all writers took “write what you know” literally, would there be anything but autobiographical writing in the library?
A Natural Name
Names are labels that help us keep track. In fiction, keeping identities clear when names can shift based on relationships is a challenge.
Real Life is Crowded
Keeping track of a large cast of characters in fiction can be a challenge, but there’s a really good reason why sometimes it’s worth the work.
The Story Begins at Midnight
Beginnings and endings are important inflection points in stories and in life, but the significance depends on context and perspective.
Writer or Organized Squirrel?
False starts are part of my creative process, and they sometimes generate material I wish I could use. The trick is keeping track of where I saved those unused possibilities.
The Dreaded Blank Page
Not knowing how to begin is no excuse for writerly procrastination. Here are two of my favorite ways to get myself unstuck.
Writing, Weeding, and Artificial Intelligence
Writing takes effort, but that’s a big part of the satisfaction. Even if we can automate all the hard work, should we?
Character-Driven Fiction: Perspective & Empathy
Character-driven fiction can change the way we see the world by helping us practice looking from a different perspective. It’s possible in any genre.
The Technical Edit: Five Tips for Finding & Fixing Tiny Flaws
In the final installment of this mini-series on self-editing for authors, learn how to catch the little mistakes in your writing.