A few months back Elizabeth Lyon gave a talk about Style and Voice from her book Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford To Ignore. She says that she put style first in her book because style (words used to create a desired effect to fit genre and character),voice (“…the author’s natural useContinue reading “Elizabeth Lyon on Style and Voice”
Category Archives: Writing
Eric Witchey-Five Minutes on Fiction
Eric Witchey, Five Minutes on Fiction In the video (part of Willamette Writers’ Five Minutes on Fiction) he talks about a common problem aspiring writers have and how to overcome the obstacle. He gives some good solid advice and it’s worth your time if you want to improve your writing. Eric Witchey has published scienceContinue reading “Eric Witchey-Five Minutes on Fiction”
Wiring Your Story
Lynn Viehl (39 novels in 5 genres) is fast becoming my favorite blogger. Her Paperback Writer blog of July 28, 2008 is terrific. It’s titled VW#1: Power Plotting (I think VW = Virtual Workshop). I’ve heard of stories compared to building before, but her use of electricity as the power and the wiring as howContinue reading “Wiring Your Story”
Analogies, Similes, and Metaphors
QUERTY Educational Services, Inc has a fun list titled, Analogies and Metaphors Found in High School Essays. I liked “McMurphy fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.” It gives you a good idea of what sort of person McMurphy had been.
What is Plot?
Literary agent Nathan Bransford has an excellent post on what constitutes plot.
Second Draft Advice
The Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers offered some useful advice on writing your second draft. See SECOND DRAFT.
Sisters in Crime Publishers' Summit
Some members of the Sisters in Crime visited Harper Collins, agent Simon Lipskar of Writers House, Penguin, and Soho Press on their Publisher’s Summit (See their first installment/second installment). They report (according to the folks they met) the hot genre is the thriller, “positioning” the story is key, writers need to write lots (more thanContinue reading “Sisters in Crime Publishers' Summit”
Sisters in Crime Publishers’ Summit
Some members of the Sisters in Crime visited Harper Collins, agent Simon Lipskar of Writers House, Penguin, and Soho Press on their Publisher’s Summit (See their first installment/second installment). They report (according to the folks they met) the hot genre is the thriller, “positioning” the story is key, writers need to write lots (more thanContinue reading “Sisters in Crime Publishers’ Summit”
Maybe “Heartwood of Darkness” isn’t the best title
On a recent podcast of A Way with Words, I heard about a contest that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to win: The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year. This year’s winner is If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs. I like one of the runners-up: IContinue reading “Maybe “Heartwood of Darkness” isn’t the best title”
Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn't the best title
On a recent podcast of A Way with Words, I heard about a contest that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to win: The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year. This year’s winner is If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs. I like one of the runners-up: IContinue reading “Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn't the best title”
Nullius in Verba 