Intention: that’s an important word. When we shake the cobwebs out and make a resolution to start a new project, we are solidifying our intentions. But, like the Roman god Janus, intention is a two-faced concept. It makes all the difference in the world— and, ultimately, none. Let me explain … Where to begin When I write, intention is critical. Crafting characters, I need to know what each one’s intentions are so I can intertwine them and build the overall … Read More »

In the dog days of summer, it’s tempting to want to relax a bit and let your story drift along on its own. Like you (perhaps) imagining yourself floating aimlessly on an inner tube on a lake somewhere — right? Trouble is, those scenes are going to read like they’ve succumbed to the summer heat or taken refuge in the shade somewhere. So, what’s to be done? Grab Your Sensory Bucket If my scene is feeling flat, like it’s fallen … Read More »

Now that you know who your main characters are inside  and out, you’re ready to round out your cast! Every main character needs a sidekick, BFF, mentor, assistant, rival, antagonistic villain, etc.—someone who challenges or supports who the MC is and helps to move the story along through action, dialogue, and conflict. Like your main character(s), it’s important to develop your supporting roles fully. A three-dimensional secondary character should be fully fleshed out and serve a role that is memorable. … Read More »

A blogging colleague recently looked at some ways in which the setting of a novel could become so dynamic as to be a real character. I would like to expand upon that idea, because just as you want every character to be deep and three-dimensional, so it would be a shame to waste the opportunities setting gives you to deepen the whole story. The Gormenghast Syndrome In Mervyn Peake’s off-beat trilogy, the eponymous castle of Gormenghast might be said to … Read More »

If you’re like me, you’re a writer who enjoys a little bit of ritual with their work time. Perhaps you have a favorite chair, a special cozy sweater, a certain candle, a preferred flavor of coffee or tea. Maybe even all of the above. Our creature comforts can be a feast for all the senses, but do you find yourself clinging to just one or two descriptive categories in your work? Let’s jump in and see what you can do … Read More »

Okay, you’ve slogged through a difficult — even hellish — first draft (or two). Your plots are working (external and internal voyages), and your characters have depth. Good. And now you need a break. You’re in luck! Now it’s time to play. That is, to play a kind of hide & seek with words that are precise, revealing, elegant, multi-faceted and, even, incantatory. In essence: the right words. It will be fun because, if you’re like most writers, you come … Read More »