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What Good Authors Do
Below are some tips I’ve collected over the years about what good writers do. There is nothing wrong with modelling your practice after the writers who have met with great success. Here are some timeless quotes from a few of the greats. Good writers respect the reader. Lack of courtesy may be the chief fault that distinguishes unsuccessful writing from the most successful…The reader of fiction is primarily seeking an experience different from and greater than his or her daily experiences in life. How to Grow a Novel—Sol Stein Good writers do not simply describe a barn. Good writers describe a barn as seen by someone in a particular mood, because only…
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Starring…YOU!
Don’t just plan to write—write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style. P.D.James Writing Prompt Begin a story with a character based on you. Put the character in a place and/or situation you’ve never been. Write what happens.
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Compelling Characters
You take people, you put them on a journey, you give them a peril, you find out who they really are. Joss Whedon Characters are why people love stories, and it is why they will read your novel. Yes, some readers prefer fast paced, action-packed adventures to the more internal struggles of a character driven story. But if the main character does not capture your interest, you will not care what happens to her. If readers don’t care, they lose interest. They stop reading, Even if your characters are cats, as is the case in Erin Hunter’s Warrior series, they have personalities, strengths, backgrounds and feelings. Good characters will make…
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IT’S A MYSTERY
“No, I would not want to live in a world without dragons, as I would not want to live in a world without magic, for that is a world without mystery, and that is a world without faith.” R.A.Salvatore Streams of Silver Today’s Prompt: Write about… From Tuesday to Friday, I will post an inspirational quote and a writing prompt, in case you’re stuck. Each Monday, there will be a new post about How To Write a Novel: Step By Step. I hope you’ll join me. Until then…
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Time to Write
John Gardner, in his most excellent book The Art of Fiction, Notes on craft for Young Writers, claims that one of the best ways to learn to write is by doing exercises. He also suggests that “undue cleverness” defeats the purpose, so don’t overthink. Today’s prompt is one of the exercises from his book. Today’s Prompt Create two characters for a ghost story. 1. The victim. 2. The ghost. Work out the name, age, background, psychological makeup, physical description, family connection, close friends, appropriate setting, and anything else you deem important. Have fun! Tuesday to Friday I will post an inspirational quote and a writing prompt. On Monday there will…