Many writers rebel against the oft-quoted command about “writing what you know.” My automatic response to this stricture is the rhetorical question, “Why on earth would I want to write what I know? I live what I know. When I write, I want to explore people I’ve never met, places I’ve never seen, and situations […]
November 7, 2010 by 31 Comments Researching Your Novel4 Ways to Avoid Writing Dated Fiction
Conscientious writers work hard to get story details right. You want the language your characters use to reflect their lifestyles and personalities. You want their books, movies, magazines, and music to ring true in your recreations of the real world. And you need all the references and explanations of technology, style, and even health care […]
October 3, 2010 by 65 Comments Writing LifeThe Worst Writing Advice
Not long ago, I gave my followers from Twitter and Facebook a chance to sound off on the best writing advice they’ve ever received. This week, I flipped the question on its head, and asked you all to report on the worst writing advice you’ve ever received. Some of it ranged from discouraging comments to bits […]
September 12, 2010 by 38 Comments Researching Your NovelResearch: When in Doubt, Make It Up
Writers have mixed opinions on research. Some love it; some hate it. Either way, you can’t deny its necessity. If you want to present realistic settings and authentic characters, you have no choice but to go digging for answers. But what happens when answers are nowhere to be found? I’m a bit of a research […]
January 4, 2010 by 74 Comments Writing Life10 Habits of Successful Authors
Still haven’t made your New Year’s resolutions yet? The following list is an excellent place to start, whether you’re jumpstarting your writing career, or whether you’ve been writing for years and need to scrape off some rust. If, by the end of the year, you can cross the following habits of successful authors off your […]
May 16, 2009 by 34 Comments Researching Your Novel5 Tips for Maximizing Your Novel Research
Maximizing your novel research is vital no matter what kind of fiction you write. I spent almost as much time researching modern-day Chicago for my portal fantasy Dreamlander as I did the Third Crusade for my historical epic Behold the Dawn. I’ve always found it odd that some authors approach research as if it were the […]
February 22, 2009 by 10 Comments How to Become an Author(More) of the Best Writing Advice From 10 (More) of the Best Writing Teachers
It isn’t difficult to flip through my writing library and discover what passages have impacted me. My books are punctuated with a brilliant green highlighter pen. So, in hopes of sharing a little of the best writing advice with all of you, I flipped through a few more my favorite books on the craft and chose […]
February 15, 2009 by 16 Comments Writer's HelpThe Best Writing Advice From 10 of the Best Writing Teachers
I spent the better part of last year, re-reading my “writing library.” The wisdom packed into those bookcase shelves is too wonderful for me to horde, so today I’d like to share the best writing advice from ten of the best writing teachers in my library. 1. The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot by Charles Baxter “To make […]
February 8, 2009 by 32 Comments Researching Your NovelWrite What You Know? Don’t You Dare!
I admit I always laugh in my sleeve when I hear an author proclaiming you must write what you know. This tidbit of advice is often touted as a cardinal rule of writing, with the inherent implication being that if you aren’t 1) a brilliant scientist/mathematician/geologist/linguist/ tactician/psychologist or 2) an uber-wealthy jetsetter with the time […]
May 25, 2008 by 26 Comments Writing LifeHow a Writing Warm-Up Routine Can Help You Write Better
Writers are, in a sense, athletes. We hurdle the high walls of writer’s block, we tackle mountains of research, we sprint through rapid-fire action scenes, and sometimes we even manage to hit a home run or two. So what makes us think that, unlike physical athletes, we can force our brains into action without taking […]
