Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
POV is sometimes called “head-hopping,” and it’s probably the most common mistake new writers make. It means you can only be in one person’s head during a scene. Sometimes that means just a subtle difference, but it’s important.If you do it incorrectly too many times, it will stop a reader and take them out of the … Read more
That first sentence (or two) is critical. They must make the reader keep reading because they HAVE to know what’s going on. That means starting “in media res,” in the middle of things. Like these: “The man with ten minutes to live was laughing.” The Fist of God by Frederick Forsyth “The small boys came … Read more
One of my favorite writing books is Annie LaMotte’s Bird By Bird. And one of my favorite chapters is “Shitty First Drafts.” Read it. Welcome it. Write as horrible a first draft as you can. But get it down. Only then will you be able to revise and make it better.
People don’t speak with perfect grammar (except for your fourth grade teacher). So feel free to make your dialogue as colloquial as the character’s education and background dictates. Narrative, however, should always follow the rules. You might wonder whether that includes a character’s thought process (ie his/her internalizing or thinking, but not dialogue). The answer … Read more
Here’s a transcription of the first video in my Writing Lite series, in advance of Top Suspense Group’s Hangout this Thursday, 20th February 2014. We’d love to have you join the hangout, btw, and you can do it by clicking here or on the link below. Secrets to Writing Top Suspense OK. Here’s the transcript: Take one neighbor, … Read more
Hi, all. I managed to squeeze in another Writing Lite over the weekend. In this segment, I wrap up my discussion of language with one of my favorite passages from Raymond Chandler. Enjoy!
This installment of Writing Lite is a wrap-up of some language tips, all under the general umbrella of “Less is More.” It includes how much description and backstory to use, plus adjectives and words to strip out of your fiction.
In Writing Lite #9, I talk about the power of language and suggest a book that will help your language flow. Enjoy.
We hear it over and over. “Show, Don’t Tell.” But what does it mean and how do you do it? Libby explains in another Writing Lite.
All your characters, whether major or minor, need their own arc. Those arcs don’t have to be dramatic or life-changing, but they have to be apparent. I explain below. What do you think?