I read my first Stephen King novel when I was 13, not appropriate reading material for the age, no, but I was not a particularly normal 13-year-old. I also started writing at 13. Coincidence? To this day, I’m still not sure. My very first “adult” novel was Phantoms by Dean…
Do you think you need to be rich to start professional writing? Do you believe you need a college degree and a stocked home office? If so, you will be surprised to see how much you can accomplish even on a minor budget. Writers go about their professional progress on…
Literary agents work much like attorneys. It is that simple. Instead of legal representation, they provide literary representation. They approach editors much like the way an attorney would approach a judge. With careful persuasion, they encourage the publisher to accept your work. This is a mutual interest and effort, for…
Verbs might be the single most important item found in your sentences. The two main classifications for verbs are Passive and Active. This article divides the classes and shows their differences. This section highlights the use of Active verbs, those most important to general writing. Active Verbs: This is the…
One of the greatest difficulties a writer faces is novel-length writing. Be it fiction or non-fiction, many authors hesitate to get involved. Sometimes the largest intimidation isn’t editors or agents. It’s the thought of the commitment. “I’ll Never Get It Done” One hundred thousand words: a simple number simply…
The first draft is the very first phase of writing your book. It is in no way completed once you finished your first draft. You simply know which direction the book is traveling in. Now, comes the tedious process of editing. Your first draft, and the subsequent drafts, will be…
Book signings have long been thought of as an author’s sole promotion. Almost every author has book signings to promote a book across the globe. No matter where you live or which mall you prefer, if someone gets published they will be there. Yet, this practice is often futile unless…
It’s often intimidating for author’s to take a hard look at their competition. It can be frustrating when an old idea seems to take on a new interest. Instead of wondering, “Why,” we should be looking at, “How?” How did they do it? How could they take that well worn…
Hackneyed phrases, slang, and truisms should be eliminated from your writing vocabulary as much as possible. This is one time where you should not write what is commonly heard. These phrases are so overused they are loathed by writing professionals. Cliches are frequently combined into several groups. You may use…
Here are some excellent pointers from legendary, late author Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) on writing short stories. These are also just as applicable to fiction! 1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted. 2. Give the…