Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
Happy Thanksgiving, all. Hope it was a good one. The last Writing Lite Video tip is a little longer than the others; then again, I’m explaining a terrific system you can use to structure your chapters. It was developed by Author Nancy Pickard, whose thriller THE VIRGIN OF SMALL PLAINS is one of my … Read more
We’re almost at the end of the Writing Lite tips for Nanowrimo. But I couldn’t ignore a topic that I not only enjoy but think is really important. And that’s the rhythm of language. Listen in.
Okay. What does “less is more” mean? With some novels weighing in at 800 pages or more, how can that be true? Listen up.
In Writing Lite #9, I talk about the power of language and recommend a book that will help you write more consciously.
You’ve heard it ever since you started writing. Show, Don’t Tell. You know what it means. You really do. But do you? Learn more.
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.
In Writing Lite #2 we talked about opening sentences. Now in Writing Lite #4 we go to the other end of the chapter.
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
In the last Writing Lite tip, I share a simple but profound structure for writing and editing a chapter that I think is fantastic. It was created by Crime writer Nancy Picard, who is one of the most talanted authors I know. It combines everything you need to know about plot and character, and I … Read more
Let’s explore language, with an emphasis on pacing. Sometimes you want longer sentences. Sometimes you want crisp short ones. One of my favorite passages that shows the variety of pacing is from Raymond Chandler. He’s talking about a bar opening for the evening. Listen in. And yes, you can have a glass of wine.