Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
Plotting is a challenge, but it’s the most enjoyable part of the process for me. I love figuring out motivations, what happened to a character that made him/her the way they are, and what conflicts or obstacles I can present that will reveal who they really are and move the plot forward. Hypotheticals help in … Read more
Not much more needs to be said. Read as much as you can, both in and out of your genre. You will absorb good writing techniques and learn to recognize those that aren’t. PS Sorry the last couple of tips were out of order. Oh well.
One of the best writing tips ever comes from the late Elmore Leonard, who said: “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.” In other words, those long, boring descriptions of setting, mood, internal thinking, etc. Here’s the bottom line: If you’re bored reading them, the chances are good your reader will be … Read more
When you’re trying to figure out why a character is about to do or say something (or already has), don’t forget they could be ashamed. Just as in real life, characters and people act out from shame and do both wonderful and evil deeds.
A sting is a suspense technique designed to encourage readers to keep on reading, i.e., go to the next chapter. Think “cliff-hanger” and you’ve got it. But it can also introduce a character, action, or thought that makes the entire chapter that preceded it be viewed in a different light. For example, you’ve just written … Read more
If you’re writing mystery or thrillers, plot is usually as important, perhaps more so, than character development, setting, and narrative. I find three carefully crafted sentences are more than enough to describe something new, whether it’s a person, a place, or a mood. It’s the crafting that’s critical, though. More on that later. … Read more
This is a very common mistake, and it gets back to simple grammar. Use “who” in the subject of a sentence, “whom” in the object of a sentence. Not sure what’s the subject and what’s the object? Google it. An easy way to figure it out is to substitute the following for “who” and “whom” … Read more
The villains in your stories need to be almost as fleshed out as the protagonists. An evil character has to be more than a two-dimensional stereotyped criminal, sociopath, or mobster. Readers don’t necessarily have to like him/her, but they need to understand their motivation; perhaps even why they’re the way they are. It helps to … Read more
In most instances, it’s a waste of words (and boring as hell) to have a character reply with “yes” or “no.” Instead, have them explain their reaction. Example: “Did you have a good evening with Bill?” “Yes.” “Did you have a good evening with Bill?” “It was spectacular. He took me to the top of … Read more
I learned most of the craft of fiction in my writing group. I’ve been in the same one for almost 18 years. During that time almost every member of the group has been published. But it takes some serious thought. It’s NOT a social group. We meet once a week and we read out loud. … Read more