We’ve all been warned about the dangers of using too much description. Readers don’t want to read three paragraphs about a sunset, we’re told. Description slows down a story; it’s boring and self-indulgent. You should keep your description as short and simple as possible. For those who take a more scientific approach to writing fiction, … read more
One of the biggest problems I see in fiction writers’ dialogue is a lack of conflict. (Come to think of it, one of the biggest problems I see in general is a lack of conflict, but that’s another blog post.) Good dialogue, like a good story, should be rich with conflict. There are exceptions – … read more
You’ve (finally) found a few beta readers for your new story. Fantastic! Here are the steps to take to squeeze the best possible feedback out of them. But first, let’s define some terms. What is a beta reader, anyway? A beta reader is a non-professional reader who reads a manuscript before the story is released … read more
Looking to get your novel or short story edited? This post will help you learn the difference between the different kinds of fiction editing so you can make the right choice when you hire an editor. If you’re a fiction writer on the hunt for an editor, you’ve probably realized that there are tons of … read more
Some fiction writing teachers try to steer their students clear of books about writing. While it’s true that there’s a lot of bad or dubious writing advice out there, my philosophy is that more information is always better. Over the years, I’ve read voraciously about fiction writing–upwards of 70 books about the writing life, plot, … read more