Help, I Need The Secret Tricks of Pa...

I think of pacing as making sure that important events happen frequently enough that the reader doesn't get a chance to quit reading. That doesn't mean every scene has a turning point, but every scene has to have some event that affects the overall plot, or that scene is basically "skippable". And every scene can help set up for a later turning point.

Sneaky Plotting Problems: The Top 10...

Problem #10: Backstory Blunders

The past is prologue, for sure, but you can tell too much too soon dragging your plot down, if everything about the characters' past is explained right upfront in Chapter One.

More Than Clever Lines: The Scene...

There’s a trend recently that calls for opening each scene "in media res"— with some kind of clever line (the "hook"), or sudden action or a line of dialogue. This can be effective in drawing the reader in, but keeping her in requires more than clever lines. It requires a paragraph or two that anchors the scene in some specific place, time, and situation.

9 Kick-Ass Exercises to Find Your Ch...

Creating unique voices for each viewpoint character is essential in creating fiction readers want to read over and over. Unique voices stick with you and generate the best reviews. Here are 9 exercises to help you discover your viewpoint character(s) voice.

8 Dazzling Dialogue Tips (FREE)

Here are a few quick tips for creating dazzling dialogue. #1 Keep it short Three to four lines between " ", then insert an action, change speakers, switch to a quick thought. This creates more white space, suggests more movement, forces you to be cogent and quick.

Outline Your Novel in 30 Minutes (FR...

What if you could map out your book in 30 minutes? This is a quick exercise designed to sketch out the major events of your novel. It only gives you a map-- you have to make the drive yourself!