With the possible exception of cookbooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias, everything written has some sort of pace to it. From greeting cards to poems to speeches, each piece opens, gives a few high points and then comes to a conclusion. When done correctly, the reader takes no notice of pace. Getting a suspense novel to the …
Tag: writing
Jun 18
Mental images: zombies and coffee
Good, strong writing is found all in the presentation. Consider the images that come to your mind when you read the following sentence: She was a zombie in need of more K-Cups. So, what does that refer to? Right now, you may be floundering and drowning in a sea of possibilities. You need context to …
May 23
Information Dumps
An information dump is exactly what it sounds like: a steaming plop of backstory. It includes facts about characters and events that are relevant to your storyline but predate the opening scene. Often times, these factoids are the very building blocks of your story, but to start with them at the beginning – which is …
Apr 24
What’s Magic in a Million Words?
In addition to being a ‘word’ person, I’m also a ‘numbers’ person. So when I hear someone say, “You have to write a million words before you will have something good enough to publish,” both sides of my brain start to fire up. Can you imagine? A magic number to work toward, and when you …
Apr 23
Six Sensible Rules for Suspense
Amy stirs, half asleep and freezing cold with a putrid taste sticking to her throat. In the distance, her two dogs bark frantically. Much closer, the wind whistles in the fog and gently brushes her cheek, and that puzzles her…? Amy wakes with a jolt and shivers with fear. “Glenn!” she calls, coughs and shoves …