The decision to create an outline for a work-in-progress (WIP) is truly an individual one. Most writers are divided into plotters or pansters. Plotters would not dream of starting their novel without first creating an outline. Pansters literally fly by the seat of their pants, preferring to let the muse run the show and wait […]
writing advice
Time is of the Essence
When writing fiction, I find timelines to be tricky, slippery little devils. My current work-in-progress (WIP) is a holiday novel and the opening scene takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving (US). So, I am motoring along, seventy thousand words in and so much has happened that I have no idea what the date is in […]
Character Fact Checker
When you are first going out with someone, you want to know everything about them: where they went to school, their favorite meal and even what sports team they root for. That kind of enthusiasm should be carried over into the formation of your fictional characters by creating a character fact checker. In a much […]
Ready. Set. Novel! — Book Review
Ready. Set. Novel! is the book for you if you are in search of your next novel idea, or have a hint of a concept but are looking to develop it further before you set fingers to keyboard. Co-authored by Chris Baty, Lindsey Grant and Tavia Stewart-Streit, three of the brains behind National Novel Writing […]
Write More in a Short Amount of Time
Sometimes the twenty four hours in a day is not enough time to get it all done, especially if you’re trying to write a novel and you do not have the luxury of a big block of time every day to get it done. When Stephen King was asked how he wrote, he replied: “One […]
