Welcome to My Blog/Newsletter
Why subscribe?
To read about another writer’s journey through writing, revising, querying, and learning
To see photos of my dogs 😉
To read about specific craft issues from the point of view of a book coach/experienced writer who wants to help other writers improve their craft
Revision: Like Driving in the Dark with Your Headlights On
Revision is my favorite part of writing a novel. Even so it can still feel like an overwhelmingly huge project at times.
On Reading Pageboy, a Memoir by Elliot Page
Pageboy, a memoir by Elliot Page, caught my eye as I scanned the new book shelves at my local library. Page is a transgender man formerly known as Ellen Page, the actor, who I first saw in the film Juno.
When Slow Is Good
But now, moving slowly and strategically through the story to revise Shadow scenes, I’ve discovered that a number of these walk-on characters can either be cut altogether, or I can give their dialogue to Shadow instead.
Writing a Synopsis Is Not Fun—Why You May Want to Anyway
When I was actively searching for an agent, I deliberately avoided querying agents who required a synopsis because I dreaded writing one so much.
A synopsis is supposed to reveal the whole story, including the ending, in roughly 500 words or so.
A (More or Less) Orderly Revision Process
I’ve been a distance runner for decades, since right after high school, but I’ve never been formally coached. Instead, I’ve tried different training plans from Runner’s World magazine and from books.
On Fishing and the Observation of Details
My husband has to bribe me to go fishing with him. Because I don’t actually fish myself. I just help paddle the canoe and lower and raise an anchor.
Building Your Characters’ World
Rowling and Collins had to think through their world’s history, government, technology/magic, and social customs. Those kinds of concerns are often thought of as belonging to fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. But novels set in the realistic here and now may also use these issues to compelling effect.
Why Do Characters Do the Things They Do?
Digging into our characters’ whys will enrich our fiction.
Character Interviews as a Revision Tool
I’ve been working on character interviews for my middle grade dog novel to help clarify my characters’ wants and needs and what’s at stake for them. I wanted to ease into the interviews like I would for a real human being, not just ask them what they want and why.
Plot Flaw, Part 2, Or How to Let Your Subconscious Do Some of the Work
A couple of weeks ago I found a plot flaw as I worked on the inside outline of my zoo mystery. It was a little alarming given how carefully I thought I’d planned things.
Nevertheless, I told myself not to worry about it for the time being. I’d let my subconscious have a go at it while I wrote the “because of that” explanation pieces to make sure the scenes are causally linked.