Find your Theme

This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel
The take-away, or the theme of a story, seems like a mysterious thing sometimes. I usually don’t worry much about this in the first draft of a novel, but it’s good to consciously address it in a revision.
Unfortunately, the problem with theme is that [...]

Tie up loose ends

Tie up Loose Ends
This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel
I just finished reading a fantasy novel that left half of the subplots hanging. Yes, yes, I know. They are setting up for a second book. But it’s aggravating.
Look over your novel once more. Are there any subplots left unresolved? Are [...]

Reader Tips

This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel. These are tips suggested by readers. Please add your own tips and help others write better, smarter.

Janni Simner
Since I’m in the early stages of working on the current novel, I’ve been thinking/blogging about early stage issues. One thing I do that results [...]

Powerful Endings

This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel
Please–suggest your own quick tip for a stronger novel.
You’ve written a wonderful novel. The reader has stayed up late to finish it and they turn the page for the climax scene and read, “The next morning, after it was all over, Jeremiah mulled [...]

Angel Moments in Your Novel

Plot Epiphanies:  Angel Moments in Your Novel
This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel
Let’s help each other writer better, smarter.  Suggest your own quick tip for a stronger novel.
What Not to Do
“As the light faded, Abigail smiled at the words from the angel. Suddenly, she realized that she needed to forgive [...]

Power Abs for Novels

Power Abs: Fixing the Sagging Middle of Your Novel
This is part of a series, 30 Days to A Stronger Novel
One of the hardest things about plot is to keep the middle from sagging. The opening is full of action, and the ending brings all the plot elements together into a big scene. But that middle! [...]

Take a Break

This entry is part 12 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelTime Away from a Novel Can Give you Perspective
One of the most important things I do to improve my novel is to take a break sometimes. That’s what I’m doing this weekend. I’m attending a quilting workshop and playing [...]

Scene Cuts

This entry is part 11 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelScene Cuts Help Quicken Your Novel’s Pace
Readers today like fast-paced novels. Yet, too fast a pace confuses the reader. When you revise your novel, you can solve this by paying attention to transitions.

Where are we? The most important thing to [...]

Begin at the Beginning

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelBegin at the Beginning
Where to begin your novel, that is the question?
When you write the first draft, you should jump in and get started. But when you revise your novel, you have a better chance of making the right choice.

Connect the [...]

Character Description

This entry is part 10 of 13 in the series How to Write a NovelCharacter Description Can Reveal Inner and Outer Characteristics
I think that Sol Stein’s book, Stein on Writing , has one of the best sections on character descriptions. If you read his book, Stein–like every other fiction teacher–mentions five ways to characterize (physical attributes, [...]