Last month we looked at structuring your fiction story. This month we’ll look at structuring nonfiction. While nonfiction has no plot, you still must ensure that your topic flows in an organized manner from beginning to end. Does your subject matter fit a chronological arrangement? Perhaps it better fits a topical structure or even a…
While worded in various ways, many of my readers stated they struggle with structuring their book, aka developing a plot. So, let’s take a look. (I’ll cover structuring nonfiction next month.) I’ve written various posts on this topic throughout the years, and you’ll find links to several of those posts listed at the end. Why…
The year 2022 was probably one of the busiest years I’ve ever had, but I ended the year frustrated and feeling like I’d gotten nowhere. I failed to complete nearly every goal I set. Oh, like most entrepreneurs, I put in an average of over 200 hours of work every month. But I had little…
(updated Jan. 31, 2023) In a recent reader survey, several readers mentioned struggling with dialog, so today I’m pulling from the archive and updating it. Dialog must accomplish 1 or more of 9 tasks, according to award-winning author Cecil Murphey. Perhaps that’s why it can be so difficult to write. In real life we learn…
This month I’m discussing misplaced modifiers. Boring stuff, I know, but it can make for some comical—or embarrassing—reading. I think everyone understands the definition of misplaced; however, modifiers might be a bit elusive. Merriam-Webster Online Unabridged Dictionary gives this definition: “a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase.” Modifiers…
Setting the scene for your reader is critical. After all, as readers, we want to know what’s what when a scene opens. And yes, this means setting the scene with every opening. If this is missing, you run the risk of your reader jumping out of the story in order to figure things out. Keep…
Today’s post is from author Chad Campese. Chad is a father, husband, police officer, blogger, and author of the book Confession of a Christian Fraud. He holds a BA in Christian Counseling and psychology, is heavily involved in peer support and recovery when it comes to first responders, and is an expert in living his…
What do secret baby, amnesia, orphan, and billionaire have in common? They’re all tropes. Have you heard of these things? Do you know what they are? I sure didn’t until recently. I’d heard the word a lot over the past year, but despite doing some research, I hadn’t been able to get a grip on…