When characters say exactly what they mean, such as when a character testifies at a trial or answers questions from police during an investigation, there is no subtext. Children, drunks, and those under the influence of sodium pentothal say exactly what’s on their minds without filter or forethought. If characters only say exactly what they mean in every scene, then the dialogue is flat, or on-the-nose. It can be boring and artificial because such directness and honesty ignores human complexity. … Read More »

If you want to start a column or have been invited to do so, realize what you’ve taken on. You may envision tossing off at pizza fests or cocktail parties, eyes modestly lowered, “Oh, I’m a regular columnist for Extreme Quilting.” But … A quality column takes consistent effort, thought, and rewriting. Here are seven important considerations from my own column-writing and the advice of several column writers I interviewed. 1. Produce on Schedule The editor counts on you to … Read More »

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m in love with thesauri (or thesauruses) and interesting lexicons. My husband knows, but he’s not the jealous type. In fact, he gifted me my first thesaurus—an ancient Soule’s—before we were married. It’s a treasured relic I still have almost fifty years later. (And him.) In the meantime, I’ve collected some interesting others over the years. (Not husbands.) And the internet has exploded with many you can have at your fingertips when looking for … Read More »

As a writer, you send your main character out the door, down the path, and into the world of your story. But wait? Can they succeed if they go it alone? Frodo wouldn’t have gotten far without Sam as The Lord of the Rings fans know all too well. Your story needs someone to join the hero on his/her journey. That’s where secondary characters get their chance to shine. What Are Secondary Characters Secondary characters play a significant role in … Read More »

One of the most important aspects of any novel that aspires to literary quality is the depth of the characterizations. Unless the book is completely plot driven (is there any such book?), it’s through the characters that readers will be able to identify with and be drawn into your story and your world.  This becomes a particularly acute issue in historical fiction, where strange names, customs, and world views may make identification just a little bit harder for many people. … Read More »

I’m a grammar bully. I don’t mean to be a bully, but when it comes to wrong usage, I am. At least for some of them. If I walk into a restaurant with a chalkboard that has misspelled or misused items on it, I can’t help myself. Sometimes all I have to do is wipe my finger across a misplaced apostrophe. If there’s a way, I’ll fix it. Lie/Lay One bit of grammar in particular is used incorrectly over and … Read More »