Category Archives: Writing tips

He Said, She Said: Why Tags Matter When Writing Dialogue Hello writing friends,  one of my my able assistants is the autocrit editing programme. Without it my writing struggles to keep the writing rules. According to editors and publishers there are right and wrong ways of writing. Especially, in our attempts to show rather thanContinue reading “He Said, She Said: Why Tags Matter When Writing Dialogue”

Hi fellow writer.  This week I continue re editing my novel, tightening and cleaning it before returning it to the publisher. My writing coach suggested a new format for introducing the prime characters. Having completed this I am satisfied it will read easier. Upon reading this weeks NowNovel blog just now, it is satisfying toContinue reading “Character archetypes: How to enrich your novel’s cast”

Thank you again NowNovel for these pearls. Again I consider your suggestions as I process the delivery of my series – The Fortune Seekers. Each edit brings improvements. Thanks to this strong writing coaching.  Good exposition examples: Narrating your story’s background What do we mean when we talk about ‘exposition’ in stories? ‘Narrative exposition’ isContinue reading “Good exposition examples: Narrating your story’s background”

Hello again. Once again one of my favourite bloggers and writing coaches has had me thinking.  Im sure you will benefit in your writing after reading this blog as well. Thank you Bridget from Now Novel  Narrative examples and tips ‘Narration’ means ‘the action or process of telling a story’ (OED). There are many choicesContinue reading “What is an omniscient narrator? Narrative examples and tips”

Hi fellow writers. Once again nownovel has blogged helpful stuff to bring our novels alive – from the very beginning. Enjoy. Great authors show us there are many ways to start a story. You could begin a novel with a narrator/character introducing himself, like Salinger’s Holden Caufield or Dickens’ David Copperfield. Or you could beginContinue reading “5 ways to start a story: Choosing a bold beginning”

Hi dear reader. Today I grappled with the actual theme in my novel ‘The Fortune Seekers – Dan and Charlotte. It may seem to be about a couple seeking their fortunes. In reality it  is, but it depends on what your definition of ‘fortune’ is. My attempt to give you the first novel’s theme is:Continue reading “Do you know what the theme of your latest novel is? Wait. What?”

Hi from Glennis. Today I am forwarding an interesting post from Kurt Vonnegut. A few ideas here have me thinking. Perhaps you may or may not agree with Kurt in them all. Enjoy.  I can give you professional writing advice until the cows come home, but at the end of the day, I’m not aContinue reading “Advice from Kurt Vonnegut that Every Writer Needs to Read”

11 Ways to Create Irresistible Headlines That Readers Love, a blog written by Helen Nesterenko  – the founder of Writtent.com that is all about finding amazing writers and creating great content. Blog appears as a guest post on WritetoDone.com Create irresistible headlines One of the easiest ways to get people to read your articles orContinue reading “Actionable tips to create Irestistable Headlines That Readers Love”

Prescriptive English grammar seems to be one of those things that either impassions you or inspires some level of dread. Lovers of English grammar and usage are energized by mastering the rules of a messy and disorganized language. For the rest of us, our feelings run the gamut from indifference to loathing as we muddleContinue reading “What’s the Difference Between Grammar Correction and Grammar Trolling?”

Today  I share an excellent blog by my favourite writing coach Mary Carroll Moore on the topic – False Agreements and How They Drive Characters in Your Fiction or Memoir. I am positive you will have greater understanding of what drives a character after reading this.  What I call the “inner story” in fiction orContinue reading “False Agreements and How They Drive Characters in Your Fiction or Memoir”