Writing Tips

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Overdone Plotlines & What to Do About Them (Part Three of Three)

Posted by on Feb 7, 2012 in Writing Tips | 5 comments

We’re continuing our discussion of how to avoid writing trite openings or overused plotlines. We’ve reviewed a list of the most common storylines in PART 1 and how to devise a grabby intro in  PART 2. In part three, let’s take a look at what makes a story original…and how the heck to create one.  MAKING STORIES ORIGINAL SUBPLOTS You’ve probably read somewhere there are only thirty some-odd character archetypes and even fewer journeys for the human psyche. So how...

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Overdone Plotlines & What to do About them (Part Two of Three)

Posted by on Jan 29, 2012 in Writing Tips | 3 comments

So you noticed you made the list of overused plotlines or openings in Part One  HERE. Or maybe you didn’t, but you’d like a little advice on how to flex your creative muscles. You’ve come to the right place. Let’s start with– OPENINGS Everyone will tell you opening scenes are important. Almost more important than any other part of a book…except maybe the climax. If your opening doesn’t ROCK, your book will sink like a stone, out of sight and into the...

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Overdone Plotlines & What to Do About Them (Part One of Three)

Posted by on Jan 19, 2012 in Writing Tips | 13 comments

You’re a creative genius. You’re really going to knock their socks off with this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G storyline. Are you sure you’re original? I asked an agent, who will remain nameless, the most overused, overwrought storylines and openings. Here’s the list– Trite Openings: 1. Bad Weather creates problems for protagonist 2. Protag wakes up from a baaaddd dream, or even a good one 3. Protag is standing on a battlefield or hill overlooking the wreckage 4. Protag wakes up...

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IT’S A DYSTOPIAN WORLD IN PUBLISHING

Posted by on Jan 12, 2012 in Writing Tips | 13 comments

I attended half of a dozen writer’s conferences in 2011. I met scads of great people and learned a boatload about the publishing industry. Good times.  But despite all of the positive, one major issue loomed larger than all informative seminars combined–the shifting book market.  While I have nothing against those who self-publish, (who knows, I may go down that road), I am rather tired of hearing all of the… GROSS GENERALIZATOINS Everyone is self-publishing. It’s...

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WRITING GOALS THAT STICK

Posted by on Jan 4, 2012 in Writing Tips | 9 comments

How do people do it–write 5,000 words per week, crank out dozens of short stories, or even a novel per year? They must have a secret formula. Some cerebral superiority, or maybe high tech software that prods them when they aren’t looking. The rest of us lowly writing humanoids  need a plan. A REAL, honest to goodness plan. So here it is. A plan to help you ditch your crappy writing habits and get cranking. Be Honest Take a good look at your habits.  Do you spend half of your...

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Happy Holidays, One and All

Posted by on Dec 21, 2011 in Writing Tips | 1 comment

Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year…last and NEVER least, peace on Earth, good will toward men.   I’ll be doing a little of this:   A little of this:       And a lot of this:   See ya’ll next...

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