You’re a new author, and you’re writing a novel. It occurs to you that the novel might be more successful as a series. The benefit of a series is that each book sells the next. Writing a novel? Begin a series, rather than a standalone Start planning for your series now, before you finish the book. ...
Fiction Tips
Writing Fiction: 5 Ways To Rescue A Novel Gone Wrong
When you’re writing fiction, you’re rarely certain of anything, until your novel is done. Even with extensive outlining, the book may wander off in strange directions. “It’s not working…” you mutter to yourself in despair and decide to take a few days off from writing. That’s ...
Write Better Fiction When You Enhance Your Minor Characters
At one of our writers’ group meetings last year, we talked about minor characters, and our discussion has stuck in my mind. When I create standard minor characters and walk-ons, such as the main character’s best friend, the waitress at the diner, and the car salesman, I look for opportunities to ...
Fiction Writing Goals: Goals For You, And For Your Characters
Change is hard; we all resist it. It’s vital to be aware of this fact of human nature when it comes to setting fiction writing goals. A writer in our writing group recently wondered whether she was “meant to be a writer” because she had to force herself to set goals. When she did set goals, she ...
Indie Author: When You’re Too Busy And Stressed To Write
In a recently writers’ group meeting the five of us who are fighting the battle of the indie author discussed why we feel that we’re “not doing enough.” When you’re an indie, there’s just you. You make all the decisions, and if your self-publishing program falters or flounders, you may feel that ...
Writing Fiction Made Easier: 2 Tips For Using Flashbacks
If you’re writing fiction, sooner or later someone will tell you that your flashbacks are unnecessary — they’re ruining your novel. That’s because your flashbacks bring your story to a halt. They kill the pace of your novel, and you lose readers. Readers just want to know what happens next. They ...
