According to Wikipedia, “Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction with elements that do not exist in reality, recorded history, nature, or the present universe.” This brings me the heart of my article: How can authors get their readers to believe in a chimerical world that does not (and likely cannot) exist in reality?…
Tag: writing tips
Great Beginnings, Part 2
I want to start by once again thanking all of the dedicated people at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers who planned and executed a wonderful Colorado Gold Conference this year. With so much uncertainty around COVID numbers, labor shortages and virtual options, it must have been even more challenging than in years past. But the team…
Great Beginnings, Part 1
If Rachel didn’t win the writing contest this year, she might have to kill someone other than the darlings in her manuscript. Please excuse the hyperbole; I only use it here to demonstrate a point about openers. The first lines of a story are not the place to hem and haw. In today’s world, with…
Tips for completing my novel this year
I’m a writer who can’t seem to stay with a project long enough to complete a whole novel. I’ve determined to finish at least one of my languishing projects before 2022; to that end, I composed a list of 20 tips for getting it done. Develop a writing routine—even a loose and flexible writing routine…
Lightbulb Moments at Lighthouse Lit Fest 2021
In early June, I attended Lit Fest, presented by Denver’s Lighthouse Writers Workshop. I’ve participated in several craft workshops as part of the Lit Fest offerings in past summers, but this was the first year I decided to apply for an advanced placement course. While I’ve learned from all of my critique groups and workshops—with…