Dialogue is critical. It’s not necessary, but in stories where it’s present, it needs to flow and keep the story going. That can be hard though. Small talk keeps the story still. Sometimes dialogue can feel like an info dump. So, how do we keep it interesting? Goals Give every character a goal—usually a different … Continue reading 3 tips to spice up your dialogue
Tag: help
One big tip for knowing how you’ve gotten a good editor
Editing is essential. As writers, we all need some type of editing. Even me, who is trained in editing, is not the best editor for my own work. There are mistakes that our brains cannot find in our stories, our children. So, editors become our biggest helpers. What's great is that some editors will give … Continue reading One big tip for knowing how you’ve gotten a good editor
Common writing mistakes #3
#3 — Repeating words for emphasis In some cases, repeating words helps. “Please, Elie,” I begged. “You have to do this. You know how much it means to me. Please.” Notice how please repeats? It doesn't overdo the dialogue since they're separated out. It feels smooth. On the other hand, I’ve seen writers use the word … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #3
How many rejections is too many?
A while back, I was on a live stream with Anna Akana when she did something that surprised me. Instead of saying "aw man" or so when I mentioned how many rejections I have gotten, she got excited. She said it was good for me. After the rejections made a mountain on my desk, they … Continue reading How many rejections is too many?
Common writing mistakes #1
#1 — Using multiple adjectives "The house on the hill was old, broken, and abandoned. I always passed it on my way home. It stared back at me with its empty, death-glaring eyes." Adjectives help, but too many of them back-to-back can weigh down a story. It sounds more like a bumpy ride on a … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #1
All shields break
Shield your daughterThe world’s gonna get her Teach her what’s right and wrongTell her that your 神* is the one But she must know magic isn’t realBefore even watching Frozen She can’t hang out with "bad" kidsShe ends up with your older friends But she’s old enough now thatHer shield’s gonna crash down Soon, she’ll … Continue reading All shields break
Does editing make me a better writer?
People suggest writers to read more, but some also suggest editing. Does editing make writers better though? Besides helping with grammar mistakes though, how does editing improve a writer's skill? In a way, it helps me understand the publishing business more. When I was mainly a writer, I knew how the publishing industry worked, but … Continue reading Does editing make me a better writer?
How a doctor’s appointment helped me think about marketing
My phone buzzed. Reminder: your doctor’s appointment is scheduled for tomorrow, March 27th, at 2:00 p.m. I nodded along, half paying attention. I already had two different reminders from my wall calendars. I opened up another tab on Google Chrome when my laptop dinged. Doctor’s appointment is tomorrow. Thanks. My laptop ran slow though since … Continue reading How a doctor’s appointment helped me think about marketing
Where to meet other writers and get connections
Writing is an isolated lifestyle since most of it happens alone. But making connections and getting yourself out there is a key for writers. One of the best ways to meet other writers/editors is at conferences. At conferences, you can learn new concepts and understand your craft better. You'll also get to meet a variety … Continue reading Where to meet other writers and get connections
Difference in success
At an English Major panel, I got advice for success in life-after-graduation. It was a cozy room, stuffed with English nerds. Afterward, I talked with a professional author. One of the first sentences she said was, "I don't agree with what she said during the panel." She pointed toward a CEO in the publishing field. … Continue reading Difference in success
Robin LeeAnn 