As Smart as a Whip?
This week I’m looking at “as-as” construction. We tend to mess this one up a lot because we often say…
The True Essence of Character
While we’re pausing a bit in this in-depth look at your first scene to examine how you introduce your protagonist,…
Persistence Often Leads to Publication
What are your real hopes and dreams for your writing career? How vital are they to your sense of self-worth?…
Apparently . . .
Today I’m going to keep it short and just take a look at one word: Apparent. This word means “seeming.”…
Ordinary People Are Just Plain Boring
I want to talk a little about the introduction of your protagonist. The opening of your book presents a key…
Am I Crazy or What?
You want to be a what?? Are you crazy?? Let’s see—years of grueling hard work, rejection, frustration, terrible odds, impossible-to-reach…
A Word You May Have No Need Of
Another word you usually don’t need is of. I spend almost as much time taking out of as I do…
Hook ‘Em on the First Cast
If you look at your first page checklist , you’ll see that the first three elements I discussed last week—introduction…
Pay It Forward in Community to Reap Blessings
Today’s guest post is from Melissa Foster, founder of the World Literary Café community. We’ve been delving into the concept of…