We have three forms of dialogue markers to let the reader know which character is speaking: speech tags, action tags, and thought tags. While writers tend to rely heavily on speech tags, the other forms offer variety to the reader and another way to create depth in the story. Speech Tags For 99 percent of the time, the word “said” is the best choice for a speech tag because it registers with the reader but does not distract the reader … Read More »

Have you ever given a talk or presentation of any kind to a group of people? If you know your subject well, you probably present your topic in a conversational way, as though you were telling it to your family. A bit of enthusiasm, a bit of humor if appropriate, maybe a truncated sentence or two, or maybe one beginning with “And now … “ or “Okay, folks …” If you’re a fiction writer, the people in your story might … Read More »

There are sentences, lyrics, or lines of poetry that stay in the mind. How does that happen? Why do we remember lines such as: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (Lord Acton) “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” (Charles Dickens) “I am Sam, Sam I am.” (Dr. Seuss) “The name’s Bond. James Bond.” (Ian Fleming) “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I … Read More »

“Hey! I’m working here!” How many times have you yelled that at someone, or wanted to, when they were making noise or had the gall to talk to you while you were writing? But to be fair, how were they supposed to know you were deep in a complex passage of the next great American novel and not browsing social media? (Or were you? Never mind.) The more important questions are: What are you writing? Who are you writing it … Read More »

Not too long ago, I talked about the new Vella serial format and how one of the traits of a serial is to end each episode with some kind of cliffhanger to keep pulling readers along. But any novel can profit from the delight we take in not knowing what’s going to happen next. Especially when what does happen is completely unforeseen! Let me spin out a few thoughts for your reflection on the related qualities of suspense and the … Read More »

In Hamlet, Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” Like poetry and impressionist painting, great fiction suggests themes and meaning through events for the reader to interpret. In storytelling, less is more. Let’s examine some of the flab you can cut from a manuscript that the reader won’t miss. One Is A Million One well-told example can represent a universal truth. Rather than tell the story of five soldiers at war, try telling the story of one. Readers want … Read More »