I am often asked to beta read or critique an author’s manuscript, whether it’s a full draft or a few chapters. I’m usually happy to do it. Writers need other readers. A beta reader is someone who reads a manuscript with a critical eye and with the intention of helping improve the work in progress. … Read more
If you read much fiction, you’ll notice that most stories are written in either first person or third person point of view. There are other narrative forms, but they tend to appear more often in literary fiction than in genre fiction. Genre fiction still carries reader expectations—sometimes subtle, sometimes rigid—and those expectations influence not only … Read more
Every fiction writer has their own creative process. Some outline every detail before they begin. Some write toward a vague idea. Some start with character, others with plot, setting, or a single image they can’t shake. Some type late at night with the news in the background. Some write longhand in the quiet before morning … Read more
I thought I might pose some thoughts for fantasy authors to help them create a new fantasy world as the setting for their novel.
Writing a strong premise before you begin working on story structure (if you are a plotter) or just starting to write (if you are a panster) is important for a number of reasons. First, it will help you bring the idea for your story to life, and it is one of the foundational steps in … Read more
Can a shapeshifter character add twists and turns to your plot and make your novel more dynamic?
If your hero/ine needs to be tested, consider using a threshold guardian archetype character to add tension and conflict.