Category Archives: craft

After I finish a manuscript I like to take a few weeks to a month and read what I’ve missed. Unlike some writers, I haven’t quite mastered the art of reading fiction while I’m writing it. I find that too … Continue reading →

One of the things on my list of things to do this year is to work on understanding the mysteries of English punctuation. While I understand the basics—like periods and exclamation points—the use of other more exotic punctuation remain a … Continue reading →

I don’t know how many times I’ve had red marks scrawled across my paper because I’ve committed the unforgivable sin of using a semi-colon. Most of my critique partners sniff and say it’s just not done in popular writing–only literature.  … Continue reading →

Description. Some people love it, others hate it. Used poorly, the story’s pacing tanks and readers set the book down. But used effectively, description brings the characters and story alive, drawing the reader in and keeping them emersed in another … Continue reading →

This year, I’ve decided to reread some of the writing books in my library.  I wondered if, ten plus years on, I’d learn anything new. So far I am a third of the way through Writing for Emotional Impact by … Continue reading →