Show, Don’t Tell: Using Deep POV to Hook Your Reader
We’ve all heard the “show, don’t tell” admonition. But what exactly does it mean? And if you’ve already said your protagonist was afraid because she heard a scary noise under the bed, why isn’t that enough? In this presentation, we’ll learn the difference between showing and telling, see how to get deep into your characters’…
#RevPit 2021 Annual Contest
I did my #10Queries session on Friday, April 16, but rather than trying to scroll through all the hashtags, I’ve compiled everything for you right here. I hope you find some useful tips, whether or not you entered #RevPit 2021!
First-Person POV vs. Third-Person POV: Which Should You Use for a Middle-Grade or Young Adult Story?
In general, which POV is right for middle-grade novels and which is right for young-adult novels?
Character Desire: What Your Character Wants, Needs, and Doesn’t Even Know She’s Missing
Romance novels have given a whole different connotation to the word “desire,” but desire in literature doesn’t have anything to do with intimate relationships or lust. Without it, there is no character growth, no forward movement of plot, no obstacles to be overcome. In this workshop, we’ll do hands-on exercises to learn what the three…
Tone, Voice, and Mood: Not Just for Angsty Teens
So often, agents, editors, and well-meaning critique partners or beta readers provide vague feedback along the lines of “the voice on this piece doesn’t feel genuine,” or “this doesn’t strike the right tone,” without any specifics to back up their statements, as if knowledge of tone, mood, and voice is built into a writer’s DNA.…
All I Want for the Holidays: Time to Write
Taking time for yourself is not selfish. Instead it is about recognizing that your need to create is valid and makes you happier and healthier. And if you’re anything like me, it also makes you more pleasant to be around.
#RevPit #10Queries
On Friday, Oct 25th, 2019, I participated as one of the editors for Revise & Resub‘s mini-event, #10Queries, in which authors entered a raffle to win the chance to submit a query letter and the first five pages of a manuscript for a free review with one of the Revise & Resub editorial team. I…
Character Desire: What Your Character Wants, Needs, and Doesn’t Even Know She’s Missing
Romance novels have given a whole different connotation to the word “desire,” but desire in literature doesn’t have anything to do with intimate relationships or lust. Without it, there is no character growth, no forward movement of plot, no obstacles to be overcome. In this workshop, we’ll do hands-on exercises to learn what the three…
Grammar Rant: Stop Making Up Words!
Irregardless of What You Think, The Reoccurrence of Made Up Words Is Not Okay
Character Desire: What Your Character Wants, Needs, and Doesn’t Even Know She Is Missing
Romance novels have given a whole different connotation to the word “desire,” but desire in literature doesn’t have anything to do with intimate relationships or lust. Without it, there is no character growth, no forward movement of plot, no obstacles to be overcome. In this workshop, we’ll do hands-on exercises to learn what the three…