Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published
What are anachronisms? Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online Dictionary defines anachronism as: “a person or a thing that is chronologically out of place especially : one from a former age that is incongruous in the present.”
Anachronisms tend to occur primarily in historical fiction. It happens for various reasons, one of which is the writer failed to do the proper research needed.
[Read more…] about Watch Out for AnachronismsIn writing book 3 of my Her Inheritance trilogy, I learned how NOT to write a book…at least for me. Hat’s off to pantsers because I think my recent experience comes pretty close to writing by the seat of my pants.
Originally published Aug. 11, 2015 as “Can you recognize your character’s voice?” UPDATED June 3, 2024.
My last blog talked about point of view (POV), so it seems appropriate today to discuss creating a unique character voice for each of your book’s main characters.
Our voice is as much a part of who we are as is the shape of our face. It’s an aspect of our physical being that people come to recognize about us as they get to know us.
Just as we—as writers and as individuals—have a recognizable voice, the characters in our novels have voices, too. And they shouldn’t sound like you or like every other character in your novel.
Though the reader doesn’t hear voice in the usual sense, the reader can recognize it through the character’s personality, how he or she speaks, and the words that character uses. This is character voice and is as apparent in the narrative of your POV character as it is in the dialog of your characters.
[Read more…] about A Guide to Creating a Unique Character VoiceOmniscient point of view, the god-like view where the narrator knows all/sees all, has plagued me for a long time. I just couldn’t quite grasp how to write it.
Omniscient was the POV of nineteenth-century books. Later, as third-person limited came on the scene, omni-POV fell out of favor with publishers. I hear that it is recently making a comeback.
But there is an element of omni-POV that is essential and that many beginning writers often miss. So, let’s dive in and take a look at what omniscient point of view truly is.
[Read more…] about Understanding Omniscient Point of View
Outlining a novel is quite different from nonfiction. And maybe you’ve heard the terms plotter and pantser. A plotter is one who outlines. A pantser is someone who writes by the seat of their pants—without an outline. I think most writers (fiction and nonfiction) tend to do a bit of both. I fall into that category.
Like most things, there’s more than one way to outline your book. It’s all about personal choice and writing style. Some writers, after outlining their novel, have the book nearly written. I can assure you, I’m not one of those people!
[Read more…] about How to Outline a Novel
When I hear the word outline, I’m back in grade school laboring through
I.
A.
B.
II.
III.
Is that what comes to mind for you when someone starts talking outlines.
But that’s not what you need to do!
Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Online Dictionary gives these definitions of outline: “the principal features or general principles of a subject of discussion; a summary giving the essential content of a written work.”
So when I say, outline your book, I simply mean jot down the main content you plan to cover. Bullet points will do.
The concept behind outlining is to help you take command of your topic and organize the information in a manner suited to your audience. Otherwise you might end up with a book that includes everything but the Mad Hatter’s top hat.
Let’s take a closer look.
[Read more…] about How to Outline a Nonfiction Book
This month we’re hearing from Kristin Noland. Kristin is an internationally renowned professional editor, specializing in developmental, line, and copy editing of speculative fiction.
She’s edited over seventy manuscripts, including two bestsellers.
[Read more…] about What Can You Expect with a Line Edit?
Today’s post is from children’s book writer Linda Mai. Linda has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and taught third grade. Besides writing picture books and middle grade novels, she plays in a handbell choir, rides her ATV, and loves to travel.
Writing for children is easy, right? Actually no. It isn’t! In fact, many agree it’s harder to write for children than adults. WHY? Because every word must count in a picture book, and you must leave room for the illustrator to tell half the story.
[Read more…] about Writing for Children