Avoiding the Idiot Plot
Avoiding the Idiot Plot: in which characters behave like idiots. Logic and good sense go AWOL. Along with the reader’s […]
Writing
What’s Taking So Long?
Endless posts on writing but no sign of publishing a novel; what’s taking so long? It’s not one novel but
Essential Components of a Scene
Building a story at the scene-level, we have to understand the essential components of a scene in order to give
Work in Scenes Not Chapters
Why should authors work in scenes not chapters? The answer: focus. Don’t take my word for it, this is the
A Solid Three-Stage Book Plan
How do you define a solid three-stage book plan without writing a single line of the novel? Abigail Perry presented
Imperfect Heroes are Better
When it comes to engaging readers, imperfect heroes are better. Put another way, perfect heroes are dull. Imperfect heroes are
What Immediately Matters?
Whatever the genre, the author has to decide what immediately matters. What’s the emotional core of the story? Hold back
Scene and Story Goals
What is the difference between scene and story goals? What happens when these don’t align? Do they exist in your
How Big a World Do You Need?
One important question when writing fantasy: how big a world do you need? Cast around for writing advice in the
Conventions of the Comedy Genre
Because we all need more joy and more comic novels in the worlds, herewith, the conventions of the comedy genre