The Reading Rainbow theme song really had it right. One of the best parts of reading is the way books open up new worlds to us, whether a story is set in an unpronounceable ancient kingdom, the far reaches of outer space, ancient history, the distant future, or even the real world but maybe somewhere […]
How to Write a Novel
Don’t be too easy on your characters
We writers can get really, really attached to our characters. They become almost like family members. We want the best for them. Sometimes it can be difficult to see them make mistakes, to see their flaws, and to let the bad qualities shine through from time to time. We can be way too nice to […]
How to write a good climax in a novel
Saddle up the bronco, batten the hatches, take cover, and grab some popcorn. It’s climax time. Near the end of a novel, your characters will confront their biggest obstacles, all the simmering plots and subplots will come to a head, and oh, yes, it helps if the climax comprises your best, most dramatic, and most […]
How did you choose your novel’s structure?
We all know some writers are planners and some writers are pantsers, but when it comes to structuring a novel, there are vastly more choices than the simple question of how you get it done. Multiple POVs. Different time periods. Nonlinear mysteries. There are so many different ways to piece it all together. How did […]
What I’ve learned from the sales of my guide
One of the best parts about self-publishing is getting nearly real-time data on how and where your book is selling. I’m not one of those writers who feels comfortable posting my exact sales and royalty figures online, but I’m seriously thrilled with how How to Write a Novel is doing and thanks to everyone who has […]
Sometimes the boring idea is best
When people set off to write a novel, they often feel as if they need to break every single mold and come up with something no one else has thought of before. And then, when writing the novel, writers sometimes feel pressure to get their characters from Point A to Point B in the most! […]
