Fiction

Which is Best: First or Third Person Point of View?

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Which is Best: First or Third Person Point of View?

When I first renewed my love of writing fiction several years ago, I had a nasty tendency to write in first person, present tense point of view. I didn’t do it deliberately–that was simply the way the words came out. It was only once I discovered first person, present tense is considered risky that I [...]

Reading Recommendations for Writers, Summer ’10

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Reading Recommendations for Writers, Summer ’10

With August quickly coming to an end, I thought we should take a moment to reflect on the books we’ve read this summer, and recommend any gems to our fellow readers. Here are some brief descriptions of the 5 books I’ve read this summer, along with my thoughts on recommending them to other readers:

The Pros and Cons of Long and Short First Drafts

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for The Pros and Cons of Long and Short First Drafts

Do you tend to write short or long first drafts of short stories, novels or articles? Short First-Drafters are those who like to get down the bare bones or key scenes before going back to fill in the holes. Long First-Drafters are those who spill everything they can think of onto the page, and end [...]

How Online Writing Groups Help You Get Published

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for How Online Writing Groups Help You Get Published

I must admit that I am not currently part of a writing critique group, although I did participate in one several years ago. A part of me thinks I should invest some time in finding a suitable group, but another part says my life is far too busy at the moment to physically attend one. [...]

Writers: Are You Too Hard On Yourself?

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Writers: Are You Too Hard On Yourself?

I’m starting think my English degree is doing more harm than good to my writing. I spent so many years studying classic literature and contemporary masterpieces, I know good quality writing when I see it. The problem is, when I read through some of my draft work (and some of my finished work), I don’t [...]

Quick Fixes for 6 Fiction Writing Weaknesses

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Quick Fixes for 6 Fiction Writing Weaknesses

This week, I went to the library to load up on new books. I deliberately chose one light read, so I would easily be able to identify its story structure–something I’ve been researching lately. Though I wasn’t expecting literary perfection, I was quite disappointed in my selection. I found a number of common writing pitfalls [...]

Jennie Nash’s “The Threadbare Heart”: A Review

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Jennie Nash’s “The Threadbare Heart”: A Review

(Pssst! Don’t forget to come back tomorrow to enter Jennie Nash’s Mother’s Day contest for your chance to win some fantastic prizes!) Jennie Nash‘s latest novel, The Threadbare Heart (May 2010, Berkley Trade), explores themes of love, loss and hope through three generations of marriages. Lily is a fifty-something college professor, wife to Tom, mother [...]

Confessions of a Former Query Letter Addict

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Confessions of a Former Query Letter Addict

Today’s post is written by Nina Badzin. Thanks, Nina! How do you know when you’re a query letter addict instead of a novelist? When you recognize yourself in the following scenario. You spent a year writing a novel and revised it twenty times. Armed with tips from agents’ blogs, you crafted such a compelling letter [...]

← Previous Entries