Writers know that emotion is an important part of a story. It draws the reader in and gets them invested in what is happening. It allows them to become emotionally attached to the characters (good or bad) and either cheer them on or applaud their demise. Just a Sigh… There are passages in my story where the character audibly sighs. She’s frustrated, sad, or exasperated at the situations she’s found herself in. So I’m writing along, getting all invested in … Read More »

Let me confess something about myself as a reader. Once I find a protagonist I love and a world I don’t want to leave, there’s nothing I crave more than another of those books! I love series! They’re especially successful for the investigative mystery or police genre, and that idea goes back a long way. Roulletabille and Maigret are lovable French prototypes, and the modern equivalents are legion. One has only to think of Inspector Gamache or Amelia Peabody or … Read More »

The Six Traits of Writing, (or as they now say, The 6 + 1 Trait) is a staple for teachers and educators.  These are the research based components that go into a piece of quality writing.  The six things that braid together to produce that essay, story, poem, or narrative that works:  ideas, word choice, sentence fluency, organization, conventions, voice, and finally, presentation. Understanding these traits helps students to strengthen their writing skills and helps teachers mentor and coach students … Read More »

Writing is a process of total immersion into the world around me. It is not limited to the actual task of writing – pen, paper, computer, etc. To create a believable and inviting world for readers, I must first create one for myself, as a writer. I create this world by seeking out and using the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sight I need to be able to let the reader see the world I’ve created, because I … Read More »

I recently got back from Saint Petersburg, Russia. After jaw-dropping palaces and vodka shots, we had to buy a few of those little nested Russian dolls, the painted, hollow, wooden figurines that open to reveal smaller dolls within, which open to reveal still smaller ones. Once the vodka fog lifted, this got me to thinking about a largely overlooked writing tactic. Writing well from the point of view of your characters is a vital skill. Once in a while you … Read More »

Let’s geek out for a moment. Marvel Studios’ latest blockbuster, Avengers: Endgame, is neck-and-neck with James Cameron’s Avatar for the title of highest grossing film ever and the “superhero fever” critics claim won’t last long doesn’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon. A question I wanted to examine is what fiction writers can learn from the success of comic book adaptations? The answer has to do with world building and the omniscient point of view. Last month I picked up … Read More »