Orient Your Readers

Sometimes when I read the opening of a manuscript, I’m totally confused.
Trying too hard to grab the reader. These openings start with something startling. OK. Nothing wrong with that, except

Do you get MAD at Editors? I Do

Have Your Pity Party: But Then Get to Work
When you get the letter from an editor about a revision, what do you do?
Frankly, I get mad. How dare that misguided editor

Idaho Writers

Reports from Idaho: Novel Revision Retreat
Several participants from the Idaho Novel Revision Retreat have blogged about the weekend. And here are pictures of some of the great writers who were there.

Feedback on Entire Novel Makes Difference

Whole mss critique or chapter at a time critique?
I went to Idaho this weekend for a Novel Revision Retreat.
Whole mss critique. One thing I like about the Novel Revision Retreat is that it is set up to get feedback on an entire novel.
Many critique groups run on the idea that a person will [...]

Talking About Revision

When I teach Novel Revision Retreats, I need a variety of ways to explain this thing called “revision.” Lately, two ideas have helped.
Plot: Aiming for Bull’s Eye
There are two things novelists must do when writing a story. First is figure out “what story are you telling?” Second is “what is the best way to tell [...]

Shrunken Manuscript Reveals Novel’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Shrunken Manuscript Technique Helps Visualize Problems
Following my directions for shrinking, marking and evaluating a novel, here are some recent examples:

Scene Tweaks

How to Tweak a Scene
When revising a novel, it’s essential to check each scene and tweak it so the reader stays interested. Here’s an example.
Scene: Choosing Paint Color
In this relatively minor scene the Main Character (MC) comes home to find Mom and the Painter choosing paint colors. Painter has been making minor repairs and it’s [...]

Goal disaster in Novel Revision

A scene goal must have a showdown
I’m revising my WIP novel and I’m at the end of the first section of the story. In this section, my character lays out a specific goal, and of course,

CA Retreat

I’m just back from a Novel Revision Retreat in San Rafael, CA. What a great time. I always learn so much from other writers.

My suite-mate wasn’t taking my class, but I watched her

Endless Revisions?

How Many Times Do you Revise?
When do novel or picture book revisions ever end? I’m always a new person, with a bit more knowledge and a bit more life under my belt. I could always make changes to the story. When do you know it’s time to submit your baby?

My Best. When I’ve done everything [...]