Below is a great infographic detailing some weak words and how to fix them.
Do you agree with this exercise or not? Do you have anything you can add to it?
Source: www.grammarcheck.net
Writing Craft
Beyond Book One: The Art of the Fiction Series (part 2)
Have you ever walked from one room in your house to the next, then wondered what you were there for? Yeah. Me too. I do remember that I’d gone there for a specific reason—only to find my mind completely blank. Why did I come in here? I find that happens occasionally when I’m writing and all of a sudden I can’t remember what color eyes I’d given my recurring police chief …
A $100,000 Threshold for a Worthy Book?
In 2015, Brad Martin, the President and CEO of Penguin Random House Canada, was quoted as saying the following: “I’m not interested in a book that is going to generate less than $100,000 in revenue unless the editor or publisher [division] has a compelling vision for the book and/or the author…If the person that’s championing that book in the acquisitions meeting doesn’t have a compelling view of …
Beyond Book One: The Art of the Fiction Series (part 1)
Let’s talk series. I don’t know about you, but I love to read books in a series. I find myself investing in the characters, the town, and everything else and can’t wait for the next book to come out so I can return to that world. If you’re thinking of writing a series, there are some things to understand and consider before you get started. The first step is to choose the type of series you plan …
What Do You Do AFTER the Conference?
You just spent many hours, even days, at a writers conference. You go home to a pressing question: “Now what?” What do you do when you return from a writers conference? Tell us in the comments below. Meanwhile, I’ll share some thoughts. Re-entry Blues Coming down from the high of a retreat or a conference can be a jolt. Especially when the daily routines kick in. Make sure to avoid resenting …
Infographic: 16 Embarrassing Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Below is a nice visual reminder from Grammarcheck.net about basic writing mistakes that people make. Do you have others to add? Source: www.grammarcheck.net
Mastering Subtext in Fiction – Part 3
Words can lie. Actions rarely do—unless someone is a really good actor/actress. But taking that element out, there’s a reason for the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” I talked a lot about subtext in the last two posts. So, let’s dig a little deeper into the topic one more time. For example, a fictional character may say, “I’m fine.” But the tremble in her hands is in direct …
Tension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel That Readers Can’t Put Down With Cara Putman
Have you ever started a book that grabbed you from the first page, but somewhere in the middle, you started to lose interest? Maybe you drifted off or didn’t finish it at all. That can happen to your readers, and you may not even be aware of it. If you’ve ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping …
How to Write a Novel Faster Using Dictation Software With Misty M. Beller
The Apostle Paul didn’t write his letter to the Romans—at least not by sitting down alone with paper and ink. He dictated his ideas to an amanuensis, a scribe or secretary who took dictation in shorthand and later rewrote the letter in full. This explains Paul’s conversational yet intricate writing style. And Paul’s dictation of the book of Romans isn’t some fringe …
How to Write a Story That Lives – A TED-Ed Presentation
If you missed this before, spend a little time this week with this great four-minute animated video written by Nalo Hopkinson on writing great fiction. It is also helpful for the nonfiction writer because you, too, tell stories. But yours happen to be nonfiction! Once you are done watching, you can take a short quiz and even go deeper on the TED-Ed site. (Click here for the quiz.) !