Last week, I gave a detailed account of the first half of my revisions process – the fun and creative but sometimes arduous task of making sure the actual story is just right. Plot and character development must be nailed down before I waste time on anything...

Review: Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

I’m not doing so well on my goal of reading one craft book a month. But it’s not that I haven’t been reading. I have! It’s just been a little slow going with life’s events and getting two books ready for publication. It also has to do...

What Does “Kill Your Darlings” Mean?

We’ve heard it time and again – “Kill Your Darlings!” It sounds like such a psychotic phrase. Kill my darlings? As in my babies? These sweet little things I’d give my life for?No, no, NO! Not your human darlings. Sheesh.So what darlings...

Why a 60-75 Page Partial?

The craft book I’m reading this month is Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, part of the “Write Great Fiction” series by Writer’s Digest Books. I’m just starting Chapter 3, but have already learned some real techniques to apply to...

Review: Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb

A few months ago, I made a goal for myself to read at least one craft book per month. Um, that’s craft as in writing craft, not as in arts and crafts. Unfortunately, I don’t have time for those kinds of crafts these days. Anyway, I started by trying to...