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”
Category Archives: Writing
(Jumping the) Query Shark
Jumping the shark nowadays meaning doing something so outside of what a character/TV series what do that the storyline moves in a bizarre direction. However writing to the Query Shark is a good thing. She’s an agent who receives query letters and critiques the letter. Here’s a perfect one in her opinion.
The First Sixteen Lines
Sixteen. That’s the number of lines of text appearing on the first page of a book. After the book jacket blurbs, it’s that first page that must compel the reader onward or the book is put back on the shelf. There is a site that critiques those first lines; it’s called Flogging the Quill andContinue reading “The First Sixteen Lines”
Two Second Drill
This last Sunday, one statement on a segment of CBS Sunday Morning titled, The Name Game caught me up short. Mostly Charles Osgood looked “at famous book titles, including the stories behind “Catch-22” with legendary editor Robert Gottlieb and “Winnie The Pooh” with British columnist Gary Dexter.” He talked about the naming of famous booksContinue reading “Two Second Drill”
Writing’s Aphorisms
Over the past couple weeks I have passed along a list that my instructors mentioned in class. It is a list of some mistakes that beginning storytellers (like me) make. Top Ten Mistakes Newbie Writers Make 10. Flat writing with weak verbs 9. Setting and description delivered in large chunks 8. Telling instead of showingContinue reading “Writing’s Aphorisms”
Writing's Aphorisms
Over the past couple weeks I have passed along a list that my instructors mentioned in class. It is a list of some mistakes that beginning storytellers (like me) make. Top Ten Mistakes Newbie Writers Make 10. Flat writing with weak verbs 9. Setting and description delivered in large chunks 8. Telling instead of showingContinue reading “Writing's Aphorisms”
Reason #2 – Head Hopping
Head hopping Head hopping is where the point of view for the characters is not fixed and hops from head to head. One of the things we look for when we read is a narrator who’s voice we like. The narrative voice chosen to tell the story affects the tone of the story and howContinue reading “Reason #2 – Head Hopping”
The #1 Mistake – No Scene Structure/Episodic Action
No scene structure and action is episodic Why would scene structure matter? Have you ever noticed how things work better when the work is organized? Whether it’s a space launch or a pancake breakfast, organizing makes the whole thing work more efficiently. Certain people have certain tasks. Organization applies to stories too. Communication is underpinnedContinue reading “The #1 Mistake – No Scene Structure/Episodic Action”
Reason #3 – Limited conflict or attention
Limited conflict or attention I don’t want to talk about this. It could start a fight.
Reason #5 – Throat Clearing
Too far removed from the inciting incident Don’t spend time warming your engine. Start close to the point where the hero’s world starts to change. James N Frey says, “…beginning writers falsely believe they have to ‘set the stage’ and ‘inform the reader about past events’ before getting on with the story.” In his TopContinue reading “Reason #5 – Throat Clearing”
Nullius in Verba 