Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #7: Character Arcs
All your characters — major and minor — need their own arc. I explain why.
Libby Fischer Hellmann
Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #6: Authentic Characters
What happens when your characters do something that’s not in their nature? How do you know? What do you do to get them back on track? Find out in Writing Lite #6.
Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #5: Character Backstories
There are many exercises and techniques with which you can experiment to develop your characters, but this is my favorite. I use it all the time with important characters, and once I get into it, I’m always surprised to learn who a character really is, what shaped them, what motivates them, and how they’re going … Read more
Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #4: The End
In Writing Lite #2 we talked about opening sentences. Now in Writing Lite #4 we go to the other end of the chapter.
Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #3 — Raise The Stakes
One of the points we’re always told when plotting a novel, no matter what genre, is to raise the stakes. The protagonist (or his/her loved ones) must confront obstacles, jump over hurdles, or solve problems… or else… But what does that really mean? I explain in this short video. Hope it helps your Nanowrimo project.
Nanowrimo Writing Lite Video Tip #2 — Beginnings
Welcome to WRITING LITE #2. I’m still talking about suspense, but this time I’m starting at the beginning. I talk about the power of that first line, how to approach it, and give you some of my all-time favorite examples. It is a little longer than I anticipated (at three and a half minutes) but … Read more
As Close to Crime Fiction Perfection As Possible…
Meet Dark Justice So this new bundle in town walks into my office last week, and tells me she’s “as close to crime fiction perfection as possible.” Now, being the kind of guy I am, I don’t get excited when someone talks crime to me, and this dame was no exception. I took a good … Read more
Nanowrimo Video Writing Lite Tip #1 — Suspense
Hi, all. In honor of National Novel Writing Month, I’ve decided to repost my Writing Lite video series. I hope you find them useful, even if you’re not participating. There are twelve videos, and none are over four minutes– most are under three. I’ll try to post a few each week so you have them … Read more
Print Books: Paying It Forward
Print books are enjoying a revival, some say. So what’s up with that? Print has been the poor cousin as the digital revolution looked set to change the way we consume literature. But ebooks didn’t kill print after all, just as video didn’t kill the movies, and TV didn’t kill radio. Some people have always valued the … Read more
A Fabulous Story Bundle Is Here!
I am thrilled and honored to be a part of a brand new, just-launched crime fiction Box Set… Story Bundle.. or whatever you like to call it. Take a look at some of the authors in this bundle (like Lawrence Block, Kris Nelscott, Rebecca Cantrell, Julie Hyzy, and Dean Wesley Smith) and tell me you don’t … Read more