Finding
a balance between drama and melodrama can be very hard sometimes. Today, let’s
take a look at some of the areas an author may want to examine when
self-editing to assure that the drama is not overdone:
Don’t take a small conflict and try to make
it bigger: When an author takes a minor problem...
Make-A-Story™ - Monday's Writing Prompt
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher
wants. Can you do it? In our new feature - Make-A-Story™, we ask
you to create a story with these elements.
The story can be set in any time frame, any length, must adhere to our
guidelines and have...
Tactical Tuesday: Advice for Self-Editing
Writing
humor isn’t as easy as it looks. If it were, everyone would be a comedian. For this
reason, authors should use caution when labeling their work a romantic comedy.
Here are a few editing tips for writing humor:
Don’t overthink the punch line:
Actually, when writing humor, the punch line should...
Make-A-Story™ - Monday's Writing Prompt
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher
wants. Can you do it? In our new feature - Make-A-Story™, we ask
you to create a story with these elements.
The story can be set in any time frame, any length, must adhere to our
guidelines and have...
Tactical Tuesday: Advice for Self-Editing
Voice: what
is it that distinguishes an author in the vast world of publishing? Many forums
are built on this question. Experts offer their opinion, but the truth is,
voice is as elusive a question as why one reader loves a well-written story but
another finds it boring.
With
that in mind, I’m not...
Thursday’s Tips: Word Choice
So many elements go into making a manuscript strong. One of the top ones for me as a writer, reader, and editor is prose. Sure, prose is word flow and rhythm. It’s cadence, absolutely. It’s part of your voice. But here’s one exercise you can do the next time you’re adding words to your work-in-progress,...
Tactical Tuesday: Advice for Self-Editing
Although
the art of fiction lies within the author’s ability to create a world for the
reader to visit and leave her troubles behind, this does not give the author
license to forego authenticity within the details of the manuscript. When
self-editing, an author should confirm that research has been...
Make-A-Story™ - Monday's Writing Prompt
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher
wants. Can you do it? In our new feature - Make-A-Story™, we ask
you to create a story with these elements.
The story can be set in any time frame, any length, must adhere to our
guidelines and have...
