I know that everyone has their own method of choosing books. Some go by the cover, others by the back copy. Some people get a good feel for the book by reading the first (or last) page or chapter. For me, it's all about the book blurb—that two-paragraph snippet on the back cover or the inside … [Read more...] about Blurbs that Bore, Blurbs that Blare
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How to Keep your Story Moving and Your Character Believable
One of my biggest pet peeves in novels is characters who tend to ramble on introspectively, analyzing every emotion, every decision, every response to outside stimuli. It drives me a little bonkers. So I'm happy to welcome MJ Bush back to the blog, so she can give us some tips on how to keep our … [Read more...] about How to Keep your Story Moving and Your Character Believable
Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Parkour
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Parkour
5 Important Ways to Use Symbolism in Your Story
So many elements go into a truly good book. When we turn that final page with a satisfying sigh, it's often hard to identify just what made it a success. But many times, symbolism is one of the things that ties the whole work together. Done sloppily, it's heavy-handed and forced, and turns the … [Read more...] about 5 Important Ways to Use Symbolism in Your Story
Talent and Skill Thesaurus: Sharpshooting
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Talent and Skill Thesaurus: Sharpshooting
Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Promotion
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Promotion
3 Steps to Taking Your Character Further and Deeper With…Anger?
We all know how hard it is to write emotion: understanding what a character is feeling exactly, and to what degree, and then showing it to readers. And of course, that's just the tip of the challenge. What makes it truly difficult is that whatever body language, thoughts and actions we use MUST be … [Read more...] about 3 Steps to Taking Your Character Further and Deeper With…Anger?
Hidden Emotions: How To Tell Readers What Characters Don’t Want To Show
One of the struggles that comes with writing is when a character feels vulnerable and so tries to hide their emotions as a result. Fear of emotional pain, a lack of trust in others, instinct, or protecting one's reputation are all reasons he or she might repress what’s going on inside … [Read more...] about Hidden Emotions: How To Tell Readers What Characters Don’t Want To Show
Talent and Skill Thesaurus: Photographic Memory
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Talent and Skill Thesaurus: Photographic Memory
Character Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Lying
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Character Talent & Skill Thesaurus: Lying
Talents and Skills Thesaurus: A Way with Animals
Choosing a talent or skill that fits with your character's personality, lifestyle, and values can go a long way to helping them break free of the common stereotypes seen so often in fiction. This thesaurus will help you find the perfect quality or two that will show readers your character's … [Read more...] about Talents and Skills Thesaurus: A Way with Animals
Story Midpoint & Mirror Moment: Using Heroes’ Emotions To Transform Them
I recently read a Huff Post psychology piece on Turning Negative Emotions Into Your Greatest Advantage and immediately saw how this could also apply to our characters. Feel free to follow the link and read, but if you’re short on time, the rundown is this: negative emotions are not all bad. In fact, … [Read more...] about Story Midpoint & Mirror Moment: Using Heroes’ Emotions To Transform Them