Word Magic
Writing fiction for self-publishing authors, as well as aspiring authors
When you’re writing fiction, your characters are everything. “Plot” is what your characters do. Since characterization is so vital, let’s look at simple ways to get characters clear in your own mind… So you can make them real to readers. I’ve been rereading Anthony Trollope, just for his characters. He’s masterful at characterization. Not only do you believe in his … Read more
Do you enjoy writing prompts? They make excellent warmups, allowing your mind to drift easily into a “writing” state—you’re busily writing your current project before your resistance and inner editor try to stop you. Writing prompts: conquer resistance in five minutes Resistance can be tricky, so avoid looking for reasons: … (resistance) can also dress itself up in fancy clothes: … Read more
You want to write a novel which sells, and sells. It’s hard work. You need to be prepared to move out of your comfort zone, and face conflict: the more trouble for your characters, the better. Your goal is always to make trouble for your characters. The more difficult you can make a character’s life, the more readers enjoy it. … Read more
Have you ever wished that you could write faster? If you’re a fiction author, chances are that you have. Last year, one of my writing students begged me for some productivity tricks. She said: “I ended the first book in my series with a lot of loose threads—I though it would make writing the next book easier. But it hasn’t. … Read more
We looked at using public domain materials in Plotting Fiction: 3 Tips To Help You To Plot Like Shakespeare: As a rule of thumb, anything published before 1923 is now in the public domain, unless the author’s estate has taken steps to secure copyright. I’ve been rereading Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White, and wondered why variations of this novel … Read more