Let’s talk about the types of characters you can use to people your novel. There are stereotype characters who are an over simplified characterization of a type of person which generally are flat and motivationless characters. Once example may be a bartender used in one scene in your book. There are cliché characters such as … Read more
You have worked out your story’s plot. You know the direction your story will go, you know the problems your characters will face, and how your story will resolve. Good for you. You’ve put in the time and thought to make the story plausible. But who is your protagonist? Sure, you have the general idea … Read more
Hiya! It feels like it’s been a decade since I’ve last posted, but here I am again with an attempt at normalcy. The last several posts were about various scenes or parts of a plot. I posted those bits and pieces with the intent of helping you to organize ten scenes that will help write … Read more
It’s a weird world right now. How about we do something with some normalcy? Like work on your story outline. You’ve been working on your manuscript outline draft and we’ve covered the first few of story blocks in your outline to help you get on your path to writing: the opening scene, the climax, the … Read more
I\’ve been chatting with some authors about the use of pen names. This week it\’s Steven B. Moores, author of Dead on Cuban Time, Cherub\’s Play, and Love\’s Last Stand. Tell us about you as human, and you as author. In my day job I’m an attorney with the US Environmental Protection Agency, helping keep … Read more
You’ve (hopefully) worked out the beginning, climax, and ending of your new book by now and you’ve adjusted to make sure that these all work together well—at least so far as the outline is written to date. Don’t fret if you discover that you have to keep adjusting your plot as you go along. It … Read more
I was asked recently about publishing under multiple names and this week we continue to explore the topic with author Lynn Carmer. Tell us about you as human, and you as author. Hello, I write red-hot and humorous romance novels under the pen names Lynn Carmer and Veva Sol. I write contemporary romance under my … Read more
We’ve talked about the inciting incident, and the climax in our plotting process. Now it’s time to consider the ending. Endings can be tricky. Endings should be gratifying and fulfilling for your reader. After all, the reader has invested their time into reading your ENTIRE book and unhappy readers are not good for writers. Make … Read more
I digress this week from the regularly scheduled post on plot and structure. I was asked about using a pen name, or not using a pen name. So I reached out to the fabulous and most spectacular Carol Berg to talk about her experience. If you are considering using a pen name vs your real … Read more
Last time, we talked about the inciting incident— a great place to start thinking about the plot of your novel. This time I’d like you to think about the climax, which is the next plot point I think you should consider. The climax is that point in the narrative where the conflict or tension reaches … Read more