How long should your novel be?

How long should your novel be?

by | May 19, 2024 | Blog, Method, WIP, Writing

I struggle with this. I naturally write short. I’m concise, what can I say? I can somehow create well-rounded, in-depth characters in very few words. I can show just enough of a room so that it can be imagined by the reader. It doesn’t take me long at all to show the...
The Rules of Writing

The Rules of Writing

by | May 12, 2024 | Blog, Method, Writing

Somerset Maugham once said that there are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. Well, a few people didn’t get the message. Here are rules for writing a novel, the process of it, the craft, editing, and then miscellaneous rules...
Finding a Good Editor

Finding a Good Editor

by | Apr 7, 2024 | Method, Self-publishing

One of the most important things a novelist must do-especially if they self-publish is find a good editor. But how do you know where to find one and how do you know if they’re good? When you begin looking for an editor, you need to know what sort of editing you...
Should you write before you write?

Should you write before you write?

by | Mar 3, 2024 | Blog, Method, Writing

Writing before you write? Why? The obvious answer is to get your thoughts together, but there are other reasons as well. Here are five you might want to consider: Whether you’re a pantser or plotter, we all need to rally our thoughts. We’re human; our...
Cheat: Get to know your characters faster

Cheat: Get to know your characters faster

by | Feb 18, 2024 | Blog, Method, Writing

If you’re a pantser, you probably start out writing your story with a vague idea of some characters—the protagonist, a secondary character or two, and maybe the antagonist. You know, sort of what happens in the story, or maybe you don’t. Maybe you just know that there...
The POS

The POS

by | Jan 21, 2024 | Blog, Method, Writing

It has been said (I thought by Nora Roberts, but I recently saw it attributed to another author) that you can’t edit a blank page. In other words, sit down and start writing the damned story! If you’re a plotter like me, you might be tempted to not only...