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Showing posts 111 to 120 (163 total)

Truth: The REAL Backbone of Comedy (July 26, 2014)

In October of last year, I wrote a post called "Tragedy: The Backbone of Comedy." After showing how the basic structures of tragedies and comedies are the same, which is fairly "duh," I said, "A simple switch in tone and mood can flip one to the other." More »

Who Is Your Audience? Or, Why I Don't Care What Your Heroine Ate for Breakfast (June 27, 2014)

Sometimes I worry that my posts here send mixed messages. First I say, "Writing is communication, period. Write for your audience." And then I say, "Don't worry what other people think. Have confidence in yourself and your ideas." More »

"Realistic" Characters: Individuals or Stereotypes? (June 23, 2014)

As novelists, we see our characters as individuals. We spend years (or at least months) with them, developing their histories and personalities. We give them unique worldviews, unique tastes and hobbies, unique voices. We treat them like real people with real minds. More »

Weak Endings: Why You Write Them, How to Avoid Them (June 13, 2014)

There are several reasons that weak endings are so common in literature, popular or otherwise. More »

Sex Isn't a Story, Intelligence Isn't Cute, and Culture Isn't Character (May 19, 2014)

On Friday I borrowed a certain library book. By Saturday night I was bitterly disappointed in the author, the publisher, and humanity as a whole. More »

BS Writing Advice: Silence Your Internal Editor (May 4, 2014)

When I write these posts about "BS Writing Advice," I'm being a bit unfair. The original advice, or the idea behind it, is not usually BS on its own. It becomes BS because of the way it's interpreted. More »

Shortcomings and Strengths of the Written Word (April 4, 2014)

Too often I come up with a fun new story, map it all out in my head, and then realize, "I can't write this. It wouldn't work as a book. It has to be a movie." More »

Epistolary Style: Pros and Cons (March 22, 2014)

The other day I read a book. I know, I know, I should stop doing that. Nine out of ten times after I finish reading a book, I wander around with an intense look on my face that makes Sweetie ask, "What happened?" I answer, "I read a book." He sighs and says, "You know better!" More »

Tips for Writing Descriptions (March 15, 2014)

Here are some tips for writing descriptions that I wish someone had given me before I wasted five manuscripts figuring them out. More »

Fifty Shades and Sushi (March 7, 2014)

I've seen writers, agents, and critics bend over backwards to try to figure out why the Fifty Shades of Grey books are so popular. There must be some reason, they insist, that millions of people love it so much. More »