Placing Your Reader Into Your Story

Placing Your Reader Into Your Story

One of the best things about reading a novel—at least in my opinion—is escaping from my world, my life. When I read I want to stop being me sitting in my home and become someone else somewhere else doing exciting things, having fascinating experiences, falling in...
Five Tips to Adding Depth with Setting

Five Tips to Adding Depth with Setting

“It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents – except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the...
World Building in an Historical Novel

World Building in an Historical Novel

There are dozens (hundreds?) of articles on world building in fantasy and science fiction novels. But what about in other genres? We cannot forget that in any novel, no matter what genre, you are creating a world for your reader. Whether it is a small town in middle...
Your Character Bible

Your Character Bible

If you are a serious author, please don’t do what I did—your future self will thank you. Keep a book bible! For every book you write you need a list of all of the characters mentioned. You may not think that it’s so important. You know who your characters are. Why is...
What do you do when you’re stuck?

What do you do when you’re stuck?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a pantser or a plotter, everyone gets stuck in their writing now and then. I’m sure you’ve read so many articles on writer’s block filled with so many suggestions (hell, I’ve written one myself). Go for a walk. Plot your story. Look at...
How Many Brains Do You Need?

How Many Brains Do You Need?

Starting last Fall and continuing on through this whole year, I’ve been exploring and playing with Personal Knowledge Management. I wrote another blog post on the topic, but today I want to talk about another new-to-me concept: Second Brain. I’m discovering that this...