Be aware of the length of #books in your #genre. Different genres have different expectations. #Pacing. A #suspense #thriller will have shorter scenes and sentences to speed up the pace. But a literary novel will slow it down. #Dialogue. Make it authentic. Use the character's voice, not yours. #Openings. Open…
5 Tools of #Anticipation We all know that Alfred #Hitchcock was the master of #suspense. He once said, "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it." Anticipation provides a forward momentum for your story. The main elements of a good plot are curiosity (what will happen), tension (whether it will happen or not), hope (looking…
The new year is right around the corner. Are you ready? Do you have goals for the next 12 months? I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but there are times when we need to edit, make changes, update and evaluate our writing. What can you do in the next…
How many times have you thought you had a great idea for a story, only to have it fizzle out later? Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a simple process to test your story ideas, before you invested too much time and energy into them? As a journalist, I…
The MuseLetter Especially if you're participating in NaNoWriMo, you might need a little help in preparing your mind for creativity. It isn't something that automatically happens just because you sit down at the computer to write. Sometimes, it doesn't happen at all. Here's a few things that might help: SHOW…
So many events are coming up just in time for Christmas. If you need something now, head down to Rediscovered Bookstore in Boise, my book The Man In Number 7 is in stock. I left an autographed copy there just for you! Want to come out and meet some local…
Writing characters that are so real, your fans feel like they know them personally, is every writers goal. I've found some great little quotes that can help you along that path: "First, place an instance of self-talk very near your story's opening to immediately build characterization." ~ Nancy Kress "The…
Next up on the calendar of events for the local Treasure Valley area are a few things I'd like to share. September 14, WRITER CEO ONE-DAY WORKSHOP with Donna Cook And Colleen Story. This is an all-day workshop at the Hampton Inn & Suites, downtown Boise. You can see more…
Readers love a good mystery. One where they are surprised at the end. But how can you deliver such a suspenseful story? A strong hook Does it grab the reader's interest by teasing some further discovery? Does it pose a question the reader will strongly want answered? Does it contain…
Pile on the doubt. Did he really see a crime or not? When in doubt, cast doubt. No only do the neighbors doubt, but now the character doubts himself. A can of traits. Every minor character has unique traits that stand out. Be sure to add all five senses. Hear…