National Novel Writing Month requires you to complete a 50,000 word work of fiction in 30 days. If your typing is speedy, this is quite achievable. But what you choose to write for Nanowrimo can scupper you before you start. Follow theses guides… Continue Reading →
One of the key points in Blake Snyder’s guide to writing is that a compelling storyline has something ironic about it. CS Lakin says the same thing – she demands that a story has a kicker, an ironic aspect that turns an… Continue Reading →
If you struggle with story structure, theme, or bookending your work with definite character progression, then Blake Snyder’s screenwriting guide, Save the Cat! is a must-read. I started this book last week and I’ve re-read parts of it so many… Continue Reading →
What is it about fantasy fiction that tempts authors into creating prologues? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because fantasy storylines so often depend on events long previous to the main action of the story. But readers (according to popular belief) skip prologues. They… Continue Reading →
I’ve just finished reading this book by Jeff Goins. I love it. I love how the power of just saying and believing those words – I am a writer – makes amazing things happen. I love how hard work and… Continue Reading →
Do I dare? Do I dare put dates and deadlines to what I’m trying to achieve, and have to acknowledge publicly when I miss or make those targets? Is my book, my weird Young Adult Arthurian Genderfluid Fantasy Coming Of… Continue Reading →
Rayne Hall’s book details many useful techniques for writing fight scenes. The chapters are mostly divided by the type of weapon being used – Sword, Club, Firearms etc – and the book also identifies fights as either gritty or entertaining, and guides on psychology…. Continue Reading →
This week I need to make some writing progress: 10,000 words in a week. This is perfectly achievable given my prior history of writing 12,000 words in one day. But to be sure, I am setting myself no other targets…. Continue Reading →
This book is still the best of the style guides. First published in 1920, it lays out examples of correct and incorrect usage, and guides on the effects of sentence construction. It is a short book; no word is wasted…. Continue Reading →
Many How To Write-type books go on about creating for yourself a special writing space. Often these guides go on to add that this could be the kitchen table, a desk, a spot in a local cafe, and so on – but… Continue Reading →
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