Back matter or end matter is the stuff you put at the end of your story. It’s what you type after you have typed “The End.” Just as in front matter, there are a lot of different things you can stick at the back of your book. Some of it is standard and some ofContinue reading “Back Matter”
Tag Archives: writing tips
Unfulfilled Needs
Without conflict, there is no story. We’ve all heard it a million times. But what fuels the conflict? The unfulfilled need of your protagonist, of course. The need of your protagonist must be deep enough to get you through your entire story. It also has to be something the reader can relate too, otherwise evenContinue reading “Unfulfilled Needs”
Creative Head Space
Many writers are able to schedule time to write at the same time each day of the week. Having a set time prepares your mind to be creative and to get into the mood. Other’s create a space in their home or office where the magic happens. Their brain kicks into creative mode when theyContinue reading “Creative Head Space”
Point of View
When you craft a scene in a character’s POV, every line in that scene has to feel as though it is being processed, chewed, and spit out by that character. Everything that happens in that scene is witnessed, experienced, felt, and reacted to by that character. And so, even the narrative must have “voice.” CSContinue reading “Point of View”
Choose Words that Characterize
Trying to convey how we feel with words can be difficult. You sit with the feeling and think about the words that attempt to express it. Nothing really does though. They come close, but something is always missing. I’ve spent hours trying to find the right words, construct the right sentence, and make other’s feelContinue reading “Choose Words that Characterize”
The perfect couple
Running and Writing sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, First comes love, then comes marriage, Then comes baby in the baby carriage. I may be a little biased, but running and writing are the perfect couple. They rarely fight or argue. The weakness of one is the strength of the other. Writing requires a lot ofContinue reading “The perfect couple”
The Catcher in the Rye and Coffee
As I drove to Barnes and Noble, I knew I had to have a plan and I went in with determination and a plan. I was getting a copy of Catcher in the Rye, a coffee, and leaving. No browsing, no other books. I needed a classic book written in first person for ideas onContinue reading “The Catcher in the Rye and Coffee”
Three keys to keep the creative flowing
There are three keys to keep the creativity flowing, the boys in the basement active, and the muse at the quill. First is to read, read, and read. Second is to learn as much as you can. Third is to write even when it sucks. Reading in the genre that you write in is important.Continue reading “Three keys to keep the creative flowing”
I need a freaking doggie door!
My writing tip of the day: If you are a writer with dogs, get a doggie door. Meet the slave drivers, Annabelle (black) and Ignacious (brown). Adorable aren’t they? Yes well they are the first three times I get up to let them out the door, but after the fiftieth time, they are no longerContinue reading “I need a freaking doggie door!”
Text to Speech
A useful strategy for editing your manuscript is to read it out loud. By doing so, you focus on each word more and can catch mistakes in your writing whether it is a missing comma, a misspelled word, or an auto-correct that is not correct. Another tool that writers can use is text to voiceContinue reading “Text to Speech”
Fighting For A Chance To Dream 