Four points to finding character voice

Feb 19, 2023 | Blog, Writing, Writing Craft

One of the hardest parts of starting a new book, is discovering your character’s voice. Genre fiction is best when it brings the reader deep within the story. As readers, we derive the most pleasure from vicariously living the life of the protagonist. Without...

Omniscient POV, part 2

Oct 23, 2022 | Blog, Writing, Writing Craft

Why does Omniscient POV work sometimes? Last week I wrote a post on how you really should not write in omniscient POV. I was reading a Regency-set fantasy romance and the omniscient POV kept me at arm’s length from the characters, so I really couldn’t fall in love...

Omniscient POV

Oct 16, 2022 | Blog, Writing, Writing Craft

I’ve been reading a book that was highly recommended—and not by just anybody, but everybody! All the blogs I read that recommend books recommended this book. Even NPR recommended the book! It’s a Regency-set fantasy which is one of my absolute favorite genres, and one...

Exploring the Third Rail

Oct 2, 2022 | Blog, Method, Writing, Writing Craft

I was preparing for a talk I’m going to be giving this weekend to the Maryland Romance Writers when I was reminded of Lisa Cron’s concept of the Third Rail. This is an easy way to think about Story, Plot, Character development, and GMC all wrapped up into one very...

Free Will

Jul 31, 2022 | Blog, Method, Writing, Writing Craft

You’ve got a book to write. A story to tell. There’s something you want to say or an event or series of events you want to share. You’ve got a plot in your mind and you’ve got a really good idea or perhaps the entire thing planned out either on paper or in your mind...

Something unusual to consider

Jul 24, 2022 | Blog, Life, Writing, Writing Craft

I’m not much of a gamer. I play a few stupid little puzzle games and card games on my phone. Every once in a while, I’ll play a mystery game where you have to solve puzzles to solve a simple mystery. And… that’s about it. My kids,...