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Where Am I? Setting the Scene
I’ve been reading lots of manuscripts lately and a common problem keeps arising. As a reader, I keep wondering, “Where am I?” The plot and characters are often interesting, but I’m lost. I need a map to figure out where I am. In other words, setting is crucial to keeping your readers grounded in your…
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Lessons from a Master: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Opening a novel in an interesting way is crucial. I often see stories-in-progress with weak openings. This week, I happened to pick up a copy of the classic Jurassic Park, and I was stopped on the first page with the economy of language. In two brief paragraphs, Crichton sets a scene, introduces a character, puts…
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Never Visited a Place? You Can Still Writing About It – Here’s the Secret!
Two years ago, I wanted to write a story set in Campinas, Sao Paolo, Brazil. I had never been there. I only knew the name of two people who lived there. Yet, I could convincingly write about the setting. Here’s the secret. Google Earth The free app, Google Earth, is immensely helpful to writers. I…
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Online Video Course: 30 DAYS TO A STRONGER NOVEL
The course is now live on Udemy.com! Each day includes: A quote that inspires Short, practical instruction from Darcy on a specific topic A simple “Walk the Talk” action to take Over the course of the month, you’ll receive the entire text of Darcy’s book, 30 Days to a Stronger Novel (November, 2014 release). We…
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Walking the Ground: Researching Setting for a Novel
I am researching the setting and background for a new novel, which I hope to set near Seattle, WA. I’m going there next month for a week and am trying to sort out what I need to know by the end of the week. What I Need to Know Sensory Details. I’ve written about the…
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5 Ways First Pages Go Wrong
Withholding information When a reader first opens your novel or story and reads the first line, the first paragraph, have you welcomed the reader and tried to put them at ease? It is imperative to invite the reader into a story in a way that puts them at ease. This means clarity must rule. The…