Archive:
The Writing Craft
Are you looking for the secret sauce that will turn you into a bestselling author? After 21 New York Times bestsellers, I can tell you there is no shortcut. But writers still often ask me for that Yodaesque bit of wisdom “you’d give me if you could tell me only one thing…” So here it is: Avoid on-the-nose writing. It’s no […]
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What follows is common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many novice writers skip too many of the suggestions on this list. You can get a leg up on the competition by following these to a T. And if you’re primarily a fiction writer, you’ll find much of this advice applies to short stories […]
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Want Jerry as Your Mentor? Learn More Guest Post by Tami Nantz Memorable, believable characters are crucial to every good story. Consider what makes these literary classics so unforgettable: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Little […]
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Guest post by Bridget McNulty Tension is the secret sauce that ensures that “I’ll read just one more page before bed” feeling. Four ways to ensure your story has the right amount: 1. Create a conflict your characters care about Before you plan your story’s main conflicts, choose carefully. You want to create conflict […]
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Whether you’re a beginner or have been at it for decades, writing well is flat hard work. I’ve written and published nearly 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers, and I still take daily steps to improve my writing. One doesn’t arrive at good writing. It’s a lifelong pursuit. Maybe you write daily but […]
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