Fiction
Writing til The End
It’s hard to believe when I started my cozy mysery over a year ago that I’d actually reach the end. I’m not really good at finishing WIPs, mainly because I get so caught up in getting it perfect, but this time I was determined to plow a head to the end no matter how awful…
Of Books and Faith
My good blogging buddy, Beck over at Frog and Toad are Still Friends has an interesting discussion going on about Christian fiction, some say a must read for Christian writers. I went over and couldn’t deny the truth to her post, yet it still saddened me to see that Christian fiction is still getting such…
Barbie…Interrupted
An apple-scented breeze provided a second’s relief from the humidity enveloping the pond. Barbara’s waist-length hair hung heavy and damp, she wished she’d had time to braid it, but Ken’s recent cell call had been insistent. He’d be waiting in the orchard, with news too good to spill over the phone. Or so he’d claimed.…
Poetic Insights for Your Fiction
My effort to keep the act of writing pure during my journey as a contracted novelist has led me back to poetry. I recently spent a week reading the writings of two poets: Billy Collins, the former poet laureate of the United States and Dennis Schmitz, the former poet laureate of Sacramento. I read these two poets…
Quick Fiction Fixes – Too many action beats
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Be wary of too many…
Romantic Suspense-characters
by Margaret Daley The three most important characters in a romantic suspense are the heroine, hero and villain. You need each one to have a romantic suspense. Let’s start with the heroine. With each character you should develop their background. From that background you will come up with their present goals and motivations. Then you…
Quick Fiction Fixes – Dialogue info dumps
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Avoid info dumps in dialogue.…
Quick Fiction Fixes – Back and forth dialogue
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Make your dialogue more back-and-forth.…
It Really Can Happen
Going through my archives recently, I came across this post about what I did with my first advance. Since I am always quick to point out the patience needed in the publishing journey, I thought I would throw you a bone. Enjoy… Splurging With My Advance
Quick Fiction Fixes – Eliminate dialogue tags
We’re all busy, whether working full-time or chasing/chauffeuring kids around all day. Yet we’re also writers, striving to get our words on paper and then polish it to a sparkle. This column gives quick fixes for fiction manuscripts specifically for busy writers. Pick and choose what works best for you! Eliminate dialogue tags. These days,…