Tag: writing tips

Creating Multi-Dimensional Characters—Everybody Lies

When it comes to your characters, make them lie. Make them hide who they are. They need to slowly reveal the true self, and they will do everything to defend who they believe they are.

Great Fiction Goes for the GUTS

Every scene, every bit of dialogue must be uncomfortable. Fiction is the opposite of our human nature. Human nature is to avoid conflict at all costs. To write fiction? We must dive into the Miserable Messy head-first. Create problems at every turn (not mere “bad situations” but conflict).

A Final Word from Les Edgerton–Fortune Favors the Prepared

Also, there will be a great many examples of novels that break these precepts. There are many reasons for that. Contrary to popular opinion, novels don’t make it into print simply because they’re quality writing. There are many other factors at work. Factors that the writer may or may not have control over.

Les Edgerton Shows How to Write Amazing Dialogue–Part 2 AN EXERCISE

I hope you guys enjoyed Les’s guest post yesterday. Today, Les is offering a bonus…an EXERCISE to help you develop your skills for writing killer dialogue. Take it away, Les! Exercise on Subtext This exercise is primarily for the teacher teaching basic writing principles, although perhaps even more advanced writers may get something out of …

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The Clock is Ticking—5 Tips for Tighter, Cleaner Writing

Time is our enemy. Most people don’t have enough. This is why our writing must be tight, direct and hook early. Modern audiences have the attention span of a toddler hopped up on 2 liters of Coke. We can’t afford to let them drift. Drift=Bad juju I’ve edited countless books, many from new authors. I …

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