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Subtext: There’s Something Else in There Under the Words

By on Friday, Feb 28, 2014 | 4 comments

After you've got your fast draft down, it's time to start thinking of adding subtext to your story.So what exactly is it?Subtext is craft under-the-craft. It's what you, the author, consciously does to manipulate your story to keep your reader excited about your story. It's tension above and beyond what you are creating with your plot.Subtext is [...]

Donald Maass: Tension, Tension Everywhere

By on Friday, Mar 1, 2013 | 4 comments

I heard famed writing craft author and literary agent Donald Maass speak at a one-day workshop back in January. It was revelatory.So I went back to my copy of Maass's The Fire in Fiction and reread Chapter 8, Tension All the Time.How do you create the type of tension that keeps a reader reading every [...]

Creating Unforgettable Characters: James Scott Bell

By on Sunday, Dec 9, 2012 | 7 comments

Writers' Digest hosted a free webinar this past week given by suspense author and writing teacher James Scott Bell. Bell has written several books on writing (see his website). The one I have on my shelf (and maybe you do, too) is Plot and Structure.He has a new book soon to be released called Revision and Self [...]

Top 3 Harlequin STYYCW Finalists Announced

By on Thursday, Nov 8, 2012 | 0 comments

Despite lots of mischief from Sandy, the Harlequin editors have named the top three finalists in the Harlequin So You Think You Can Write competition. Congrats to:Jennifer Drogell            The Divorce PartyMel Sterling                 Grand Theft, AutoAmber Whitford           In Defense of the Past   You can read their fabulous first chapters herePublic voting begins again from November 16-27 to [...]

Learn to Pitch Better by Watching Lisa Kleypas Chat About Rainshadow Road

By on Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012 | 0 comments

Is pitching your worst nightmare? Do you quake in your shoes just thinking about it? Are you a fearful public speaker who would rather have all your teeth pulled (at once) than have to sit across from an agent or editor and pitch? If you are, read on!I adore Lisa Kleypas. Not only is she a hugely [...]

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