Tag Archive | literature
How to Keep Your Readers From Asking, “Why Didn’t They Just…?”
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? by Stephanie O’Brien My siblings and I have sometimes joked that we could take over several fictional universes with the power of “Why didn’t they just…?” When characters fail to use an obvious solution, or forget a skill or superpower that could easily resolve the situation, it can be…
The Best Debut Novels of 2016
Originally posted on Kristen Twardowski:
I have a warm place in my heart for newly published writers – there is something special about fresh blood – so I want to highlight some of the most exciting debut novels of 2016. As with most of my lists, these novels are in no particular order and are…
Depriving Youth and Defending YA Literature
Originally posted on Kristen Twardowski:
In spite of its seemingly benign nature, young adult literature has received tumultuous responses. Back in August, education consultant Joe Nutt published an article for teachers and educational professionals called “Why Young-Adult Fiction Is a Dangerous Fantasy.” The article reflects the not uncommon belief that YA has directly harmed young people and…
3 Ways Your Beta Readers Are Right (and Oh-So-Wrong)
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? by Kelsie Engen It’s a truth universally acknowledged that beta readers are the best and worst thing to happen to an author. On the one hand, it’s fantastic that you have readers already willing to read your work–and it’s not even published yet! That’s amazing. Be sure to send…
The Best Books in Translation of 2016
Originally posted on Kristen Twardowski:
Sometimes the books that make the most impact come from a little farther afield than right around the corner. With that in mind, I want to spend a moment to celebrate some of the best books in translation of 2016. But first, a disclaimer. I obviously have not read all…
How Do You Get Readers to Trust You?
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? by Jacqui Murray I went to my bi-weekly writer’s critique group last night. We get submittals ahead of time, gather our thoughts and comments, and then each of us gets 5 minutes during the meeting to share our suggestions. This week, we were reviewing the work of one of…
What Are Feelings, Really? How to Write Emotions
Originally posted on Kristen Twardowski:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPwpVJ-eIgg In the immortal words of Samantha Sang and the Bee Gees, “It’s just emotion that’s taking me over, caught up in sorrow, lost in the song.” Unfortunately novels lack accompanying singers who let the reader know how characters feel. One of the most difficult aspects of writing is portraying…
Writing the Building Blocks of a Page-Turner
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? by Allison Maruska Books are made of chapters, and chapters are made of scenes. Those segments of the story are what hold the whole thing together. Write them well, and you have a page-turner. Write them not so well, and…zzzzzz. No writer wants to do that to their readers,…
Writers: Judge Yourself by Your Own Standards
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? ? by Kate M. Colby ‘Comparisonitis’ is the most infectious disease in the writer community. Can you blame us? When John’s book has 100 five-star reviews and Jane has written six books this year and Joe has landed a major publishing deal, it’s difficult not to feel jealous and…
10 Things I’ve Learned From Self-Publishing
Originally posted on Ryan Lanz:
? by J.U. Scribe It’s been three years since I self published my first book. It’s definitely been a learning experience marked by relative successes and failures. As I mark the 3rd anniversary since I self-published Before the Legend , here are the top ten things I’ve learned over the course of…
Viv Drewa - The Owl Lady 