By Francine MathewsDuring a panel at a writer's conference a few years back, the lovely and talented moderator, Catriona MacPherson, posed her final, devastating question to each of us:"Plotter or Pantser?"This needed no explication for veterans of the conference scene. Plotters are the...
The Habit Makes The Character
Kojak: "Who Loves 'Ya Baby?"by Jamie FrevelettiOne of the toughest things to do in writing is to imbue your protagonist with some real traits that make them as unique as you hope them to be, and to do it in a way that isn’t obvious. As Karna mentioned in her post, showing, not telling, is a first...
Breaking the Rules
by Karna Small BodmanWhenever someone begins a new job, starts a business or even joins a club, she is usually told, "Here are the rules." She may even be given a handbook along with FAQ's and in some cases (for example taking certain government jobs) she is asked to sign a statement...
GIVE YOUR READERS A WHIPLASH SMILE
by KJ HoweThe craft of writing is fascinating, at times unfathomable, but when writers hone their skills, the story shines through with no distractions. Readers lose themselves in the fascinating web the writer spins, soaking in page after page in an alternate world. Think of quality...
FIRST, POUR THE COFFEE
S. Lee Manning: I’m starting a blog on writing tips by telling you to pour yourself a cup of coffee. You may think it’s because I’m a coffee addict. (I am.) Or that I’m suggesting I need coffee to get my brain working in the morning. (I do.) But there’s also a more important reason.I pour...
WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL?
Me in my book-filled Santa Barbara office.By Gayle Lynds. Years ago a brain surgeon whom I met at a party told me in all seriousness that when he retired he was going to be a novelist. My reply? “When I retire, I’m going to be a brain surgeon.” Oh, dear. Did I really...
Life Lessons by Virtue of Travel
by Chris GoffWhen I was nineteen I had spent one year in college, had no idea what I wanted to do or be, and a BFF from grade school who suggested we take a "Gap Year" and backpack Europe. The year was 1974, it seemed like a great idea to me, so we made our plans.First, we needed some money. After...
2 VACATIONS FOR THE ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKER
by Sonja StonePick Your Poison: Five-Star Resort or Skin-Your-Own DinnerMiraval Resort, TucsonAs I’ve previously mentioned, I’m an all-or-nothing thinker. My extreme nature also applies to vacations. I’m either digging my own latrine and building my own shelter, or I want to be at an...
COMING FULL CIRCLE ON THE WRITER’S ROAD
By Francine MathewsI woke up this morning in New Orleans.The first time I saw this city, I was twenty years younger. My husband and I had been driving for weeks, heading steadily south through the summer heat from Washington, D.C.,where we had packed up our lives that June. Mark had quit his...
BACK IN THE ISLANDS
Anguilla- British West Indiesby Jamie FrevelettiI am at the wonderful Bouchercon 2016 writing conference this week, and so this is a reprint of a journal entry from my website in 2011. Back again in two weeks, but for now read about my favorite island!August is the month of the annual...