I’ve written two novels and interviewed several hundred debut authors for my podcast so beginning writers often ask me for advice. And while the internet is filled with solid guidelines on showing vs. telling, write what you know, and overcoming writer’s block, there are other important things that aren’t talked about as often. As we…
Tag: goals
From Clash to Catharsis: The Role of Conflict in Novel-Writing
One of the first tenets of successful novel writing is that without conflict, you’ve got no story. Conflict is what keeps the reader turning pages. Without it, your story comes to a halt while you clear your throat, meander around aimlessly, and stare at the wall. In his craft book Conflict and Suspense, author James…
Writers: Focus Your New Year’s Resolutions on You, Not Your Wordcount
Every January, many writers—including me—list their writing resolutions for the New Year. These goals often focus on publication and productivity, such as: “Submit my completed novel to 15 agents.” “Write 3 short stories.” “Enter 2 speculative fiction contests.” “Write a new blog post twice a month.” “Finish the first draft of my new novel about…
Reformation
No, not that one. But they’re related. Part of my semi-regular practice as a professional is a periodic marketing scan. I try to remember to do it at least once a year, but I sometimes forget. I tend to discount changes that challenge my assumptions, until I get clubbed upside the head with a clue-by-four….
Write like…
Write like your best friend just called to say she read the first fifty pages of your latest/greatest and she thinks it’s your best work yet. Write like tomorrow’s schedule is breaking rocks with a sledgehammer. Dawn to dusk. Write like you don’t care. Write like you understand, deep down, how much fun it is…