Word magic.
I love short stories because you can write them in an afternoon—or even in an hour. Try a story today. They’re easy for every author, even if you’re a beginner. Lately, I’ve read lots of short fiction: authors including the wonderful Roald Dahl, Guy de Maupassant, and Agatha Christie. These masters’ stories pack a punch and stay with you. What … Read more
Bored with your writing? Days and weeks drift past, and you haven’t written a word. Let’s look at how you can write, even if you feel you can’t. You may be blocked because: A project hit a wall. You’re stressed. Perhaps it’s family, health, work, finances… Something isn’t working. You had high hopes for a book, spent big on advertising, … Read more
Would you like a fiction writing process that will help you to write good stories; stories readers love? Try this: “make your hero want something so badly that he’ll fight for it—to the death.” This isn’t a new formula, by any means, but I found that Ray Bradbury’s version resonated with me. Here it is; from Zen in the Art … Read more
Is self-publishing more challenging today? The competition for readers is intense. Recently, in one of my writing classes, a writer reported that she was ready to give up. She’s published six books, followed all the “rules”, yet sales are slow. “There’s just too much competition,” she said. Self-publishing and competition: find readers Whether you’re aiming for traditional publishing or decide … Read more
Do you struggle with plotting your fiction? If you’re an author who finds developing a cohesive, exciting story a chore, and maybe even a nightmare, read on. When I started writing, I struggled with plots. By nature, I’m a pantser—the type of writer who’s struck by inspiration and just wants to write. Laying out a cohesive narrative step by step, … Read more