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.
Writing Articles
The Elements of Genre
A book’s genre is a clue about the balance between the main drivers of story – plot, character, or setting.
Important Books
Most books are not Important Books, no matter how excellent they are – but if a book makes you think, isn’t that what’s important?
The most important step in editing your own writing
Effective self-editing is a superpower for any writer, and it starts with one very important step.
We’ve Heard It All Before
Here’s a simple way to check for cliches in your writing.
Does the First Sentence Really Matter?
I just started reading Maphead, by Ken Jennings, and I am already sure I’m going to love it. It's the kind of book I'm inclined to like—but I am only a few pages in and already hooked. How? Writing instructors often stress the importance of the first sentence, and I...
Henry James & Brain Overload
Henry James is one of my favorite authors, and one of my very favorite books is The Ambassadors. In certain circles, this is a polarizing statement – people who’ve read any of his novels quickly sort into two groups. I’ve never talked to someone who admitted...