This is a summer binus episode, part of a webinar recording from earlier this year. Terry and I will be back discussing more books and first pages in September.
Tag Archives: writing
What to do with the stuff you cut out of your novel…
The following is a guest post by a Readerly Writer. As you can see at the end, her pub date is coming up. Huzzah! She writes about one way to use some of the material you cut from a novel. She has created a bonus prequel for her readers that she is using to buildContinue reading “What to do with the stuff you cut out of your novel…”
Are You Lost in the Forest?
Sometimes, writing a draft is like getting lost in the forest. On a recent weekend in the country with our church in Tallinn, Estonia, I decided to take a short walk on the trails before breakfast. Like the boat ride to Gilligan’s Island, it turned out to be a little longer than I thought. TheContinue reading “Are You Lost in the Forest?”
Is backstory the sludge in your novel?
If you hang out on Psychology podcasts or read psychology, you may have heard of a term called sludge. It is related to the concept of “nudging,” which is the idea that entities (governments, businesses, schools…) can help people make better choices by making choosing the better option easier. Or, just make choices easier byContinue reading “Is backstory the sludge in your novel?”
Do these jeans make my butt look big, or who to ask for feedback on your writing…
Do you remember that commercial a few years ago where the woman asked her significant other, “Do these jeans make my butt look big?” What was he supposed to say? I mean if he thinks they do, and he says so, his life will be miserable for the foreseeable future. If he thinks they lookContinue reading “Do these jeans make my butt look big, or who to ask for feedback on your writing…”
How questions help you write!
If you’ve ever written a research paper, you will be familiar with research questions, or guiding questions. As a high school librarian, I have helped hundreds (maybe even thousands) of students write them. When you are writing a research paper, it helps to define as precisely as possible what your paper is about—what you willContinue reading “How questions help you write!”
Are You Painting with the Switch Plate Covers on?
My husband and I enjoy the character of older homes. Unfortunately, with that character comes a previous succession of owners who may or may not be completing improvement projects with excellence in mind. I was recently cleaning a room in our newly acquired 1900 Craftsman, when I noticed that whoever painted last had done soContinue reading “Are You Painting with the Switch Plate Covers on?”
The North Woods by Daniel Mason
This literary stroll through history is a great book if you are wondering what makes a book literary. In it, the author uses the frame of a piece of property to tell several stories that seem at first to be unrelated, but by the end, everything is connected! It is literary because it defies genreContinue reading “The North Woods by Daniel Mason”
Historical Novel Society 2024
I am thrilled to be presenting a pre-conference session for the 2024 Historical Novel Society Conference UK. It is a book study of The Lincoln Highway. Register Here, I hope to see you at the pre-conference and in September for the in person event.
New Podcast Episode: The Mystery Guest
Take a listen to this shorty episode about a highly anticipated sequel. There are a few nuggets in it for writers to be aware of as they strive to give readers an elevated experience.