Word Magic
When you’re writing fiction, should you begin by creating characters, or should you concentrate on your plot? Authors tend to go back and forth on this. You can do either one: Perhaps you’re inspired by a character, or… You’re intrigued by something and want to write about it. I’ve been coaching a self-publishing author. She’s upset because she received unkind … Read more
You’re writing fiction. Sooner or later, during your first draft, you’ll realize “this isn’t the book that’s in my head. WHY can’t I write what I can see and feel so clearly in my imagination?” Although you’re tempted to stop writing because you’re convinced you’re writing garbage — keep writing. Chances are that you’ll hit this painful psychological wall with … Read more
All fiction is constructed of scenes, including novels, movies, and TV shows. So, getting to grips with scenes is the foundation of fiction writing. Every novel you write has a certain number of scenes. Even if you hate outlining, the number of scenes gives you a clue to the action at various points in your novel. I know that many … Read more
When you’re plotting fiction, here’s the essence: your plot is what your characters DO. We discussed developing characters in our second article in this novella-writing series, Writing Short Fiction: How To Develop Characters (Novella Series 2). When you focus on what your characters do, and WHY they do it, plotting your novella is simple, even if you’re a dedicated pantser, … Read more
When you’re writing short fiction, you pack a lot into a little. So writing short stories and novellas is excellent training in improving your fiction in general. I encourage any of my students who are new to writing fiction to start with short fiction. Not only is a novella easier to control than a novel, it teaches you how to … Read more