In a prior post, I wrote about following writing rules (then don’t). I referred to why you should follow the rules to avoid common mistakes. In this post, I’ll describe some of those mistakes and why they may diminish the writing. Indeed, I’ve made all these mistakes. Prologues and Epilogues […]
Nearly every new fiction writer has a writing hook, something about the way they tell this story that will draw the reader in. In this blog, instead of focusing on plot or characters, let’s examine the way the words unravel to the reader. Some of these writing styles are creatively […]
If I asked “what are the elements that make up a story,” how would you respond? Characters, plot, theme, mood. All correct answers—full points. But most people forget the one element of writing that distinguishes some writers from others. It’s the writing itself. Many, if not all, writers are readers. […]
This blog series wraps up exploring haunted attractions and how scary attractions must have story elements. We’ve examined perspective, alternate endings, setting, and “the hook” (or, the promise). This last in the series looks at characters. Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake is an attraction not based on an existing intellectual […]
This blog series continues exploring haunted attractions and how even spook houses must have story elements. The first two entries examined perspective and setting. The third in the series looks at “the hook.” In 2022, I was fortunate enough to visit several haunted attractions in Universal Studios – Orlando’s theme […]
This blog series continues exploring haunted attractions and how even spook houses should have story elements. The last entry examined perspective, now we move onto setting. In 2022, I was fortunate enough to visit several haunted attractions in Universal Studios – Orlando’s theme park. I will briefly describe and review […]
As an author, you have to deal with a lot of rejection. Someone saying they can’t use your work in their publication comes with the territory. You send in excerpts from your novel, synopses, and short stories with the highest of hopes, but the response is usually the same—a variation […]
It’s true. I have no tribe. A writer’s tribe (as I understand it because I don’t have one) is a close-knit group who reviews each other’s work and provides useful feedback. Tribespeople are people you trust with that work that is most sacred to you…your story. It would be wonderful […]