Let me tell you the true story of two writers who have many things in common—and one important difference. Both writers had completed first drafts for mysteries with an edge of romance. They are both avid readers with little writing experience or instruction. I had the privilege of doing manuscript evaluations for them. This was the first attempt at a novel for both of them. They had created interesting female protagonists and stories with great potential, and they both demonstrated … Read More »

Let’s take a little time and talk about rhyme. So, if I were to take that first line and divide it into two end-stopped lines of poetry: Let’s take a little time/and talk about rhyme I’d have the classic end-stopped exact rhyme we were introduced to as children. Rhyme can be that simple—and that ho-hum. However, if used in a more complex way rhyme can heighten the musicality of your writing. There is a great deal one can say about … Read More »

I am a scientist. In my field, everything must be accurate. In fact, if you’re not a stickler for accuracy as a scientist, your credibility and your reputation can be seriously impugned. But I also write novels and short stories—both fiction genres. Fiction, by definition, is all made up… The dilemma is obvious, the conflicts inherent. When you want to include scientific details in, say, a historic novel, or a thriller with a scientific bent (science-in-fiction, a term created by … Read More »

Unforgettable characters—they live our heads. But can we convey wheat they mean to us effectively onto the page? Of course! To connect readers to your characters, your primary, secondary, and tertiary characters have to do their jobs effectively. They must have purpose and add something to your story. Over time, with a story or series, they may even develop or require a character arc. A good rule to follow is if you name them, they need a character bio worksheet. … Read More »

October, 2020. Not only is it the month of Halloween, it’s also October in the midst of a pandemic. Hence, the wearing of masks. For fun. Or not. The news, shopping sites, and the world of social media is flooded with all things mask-related. In light of the bombardment, I seized the opportunity to put the idea of a mask to good use as a writer. I found a definition that didn’t warn of impending doom:  A covering for all … Read More »

We all want our novels to be so full of sensual detail that the reader can imagine everything in technicolor. Is there such a thing as too much description? Clearly, every reader’s expectations — and every author’s style — is different, so “too much” is a range, not a point. Nobody has to warn us against purple prose. But is that really too much description, or is it bad description? A typical purple problem is to use an extreme amount … Read More »