Tag Archives: writing with passion

36. Plot Redux

YOUR Novel! My dad has always been one of my alpha readers. He’s a speed reader. For him it’s all about story. My third draft is all about plot, and as I rewrite, I try to see what I’ve written “through my … Continue reading

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27. Setting/2 of 3

In YOUR Novel post #26 we discussed the “magic” of adding information unobtrusively to YOUR Novel. In our first example, author Ken Follett used vivid visual images and “new information” to set the scene in a Welsh coal town. Our second … Continue reading

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21. Conflict/External

You’ve heard the old Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” Interesting times – war, famine, storms, earthquakes – are terrifying to live through. However, within the framework of a novel, interesting times are wonderful. I purposely set my … Continue reading

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20. Conflict/Internal

Tension can make or break a novel. Too little and your readers are yawning, too much and you rend the “veil of disbelief” and your readers pop out of your story. (You know – “give me a break nobody has that … Continue reading

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17. First Sentence

Okay, I promised I would post about your first sentence.  You really need to know two important facts about first sentences (or first paragraphs).  1. They are the first impression your reader, editor or agent gets about your book.  That’s … Continue reading

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16. Ready, Set, Go!

Can you believe it?  You’re actually ready to begin writing the book that you’ve been thinking about and brainstorming about and probably even dreaming about for the past 15 weeks (or more!).  You know your characters.  You’ve worked on developing … Continue reading

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Heart Breaker

I love the story about the ancient Athabascan woman who was asked how to make moosehide moccasins.  Her reply?  “Well, first you kill a moose.” In other words, have a seat.  This is going to take a while.  When I’m asked, “How do you write … Continue reading

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Rats!

Do you ever have one of those days? You know, an “oh rats!” day.  Usually I love Mondays.  That’s because I love my job, which is writing novels. I don’t write on the weekends, so Monday is my “Hooray! I-get-to-write-again” … Continue reading

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Inspiration

Your Question – Justin Knabe asks: Do you write what you are passionate about or what is selling?  I have a lot of great ideas, but that is as far as it goes. Sue’s reply:   I am currently trying to jump-start … Continue reading

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