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ROAD TO TATER HILL by Edith Hemingway Introduced first in 2007, debut children’s authors have formed a cooperative effort to market their books. Last year, I featured many of the Class of 2k8 on Revision Notes, as they told the stories of how 2k8 Novels Were Revised. Today, I’m glad to continue the 2k9 Series [...]
You Must Try it On I’m watching “What Not to Wear,” TLC’s fashion advice show. The hosts, Stacy and Clinton preach one thing that struck me today: you must try clothes on to see if they fit and look the way you want. You can’t tell anything by just looking at something on a hanger. [...]
Speaking Schedule Here’s an update on my speaking schedule for the rest of the year. Novel Revision Reteat. SF & North & East Bay SCBWI, San Francisco, CA. July 16-19, 2009 (SOLD OUT) Novel Revision Retreat. Louisiana SCBWI. St. Joseph Abbey, Covington, LA. Download flyer for the LA retreat. Arkansas SCBWI Fall Retreat, Ft. Smith, [...]
Every Novel Needs a Scene In my WIP, I need to write a big scene: cast of dozens, culmination of major plot threads, emotional high for major characters. Big scenes should be a part of every novel, because there should be places where characters, plot events, outer and inner narratives arcs, and subplots intersect. The [...]
Character 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, clothing, psychological mannerisms, actions, dialogue). But consider this description from his book: “She [...]
Create a Character that Counts Stories are about characters who are involved with each other in conflict. Often in revising, it’s important to look carefully at each characters and ask hard questions: Does this character contribute to the conflict and resolution? What is this character’s role in the story? What is this character’s function in [...]
What is the Best Length for Novel Chapters? How long are your chapters? How long is long enough or too long? In his book, , action/adventure author, David Morrell (creator of the Rambo character, among others), says he tries to write short chapters, so that a reader can complete one chapter (or structural unit) at [...]
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