Category: fiction writing
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My Favorite Fiction Books from 2017
I read other books than the ones listed below, but they were non-fiction or fiction I didn’t want to include as a favorite. Speculative Fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror) A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron This is the fourth installment of Aaron’s Heartstrikers series, the story of which proceeded nicely until…
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Harmon’s Plot Embryo: A Writer’s Tool for both Outlining and Evaluating
I admit it: I just started watching Community. Yes, I know. Better late than never. I kept hearing how great the show was, but never got around to following it. Well, now, thanks to Hulu, I can binge watch while I’m cleaning house or laundry or whatever. Lately, though, I’ve been hearing about this “Plot…
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I just discovered this neat website for fantasy writers
I came across this online community for writers of fantasy called Mythic Scribes. Here’s how they describe themselves: “Mythic Scribes is a community of fantasy writers who are passionate about storytelling. We provide a platform for new and aspiring authors, as well as a meeting place for writers and fans of the genre. By sharing…
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What are the most important scenes in a novel?
To overcome feeling overwhelmed by finishing your novel, a writer might want to keep these writing principles in mind: She doesn’t have to write chronologically. She can write her most important scenes first and then fill in the blanks. Now, if she has planned your novel with some kind of outline, then these principles become even easier.…
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Checklist for writing a scene
When it came to my novel, I honestly didn’t think I’d have to do that. But, here I am, the stage of my novel where I am going over each scene, and I am “killing my darlings.” I want to keep most of the scenes, but I have a criteria I go over that may…
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Four quick reads on writing
When I was on vacation earlier this month, I read some e-books on writing. Even though these gems were inexpensive and quick, they provided me with some valuable lessons to apply to my writing craft. Here they are: Self-publishing a Book By Hank Quense Quense has a great series on self-publishing and this is the…
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Fiction Writing Workshop: Action Scenes
He extends his sword and then utters these words: “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.” The most memorable part of this fight scene are these words. But why? To find the answer, I wanted to know more about writing effective fight and action scenes. My novel has several of…
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The Final Quarter
I am down to the last 25% of the current draft of my novel which I’m now calling Ziggurat Reach. Whether that is a working title or a final title, I don’t know. I know what is happening in the last part of my novel. I am building up to the story’s climax and all…
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Books on writing I read in 2015
Every year I try and read a couple of books on the writing craft. I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but, honestly, I love reading stuff on how to write fiction. Here is what I read in 2015: Planning a Novel, Script or Memoir by Hank Quense Quense offers practical tips on how…
Andrew M. Friday 