Are your stories too exciting? Are they keeping your readers up past their bedtimes? Are they causing book clubs to swoon? Well, fear not, gentle writer, for I have compiled a list of 10 ways you can suck the energy right out of your writing. If your dream is to craft a story so boring […]
Writing Craft
Character Development: Use Poetry to Find a Character’s Voice – On the RMFW Blog
In honor of National Poetry Month (April), I talk about how fiction writers can wade into the murky waters of a writing a simple poem to help find their fictional characters’ voices. Check out my article on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog: “Using Poetry to Explore a Character’s Voice in Fiction.”
Why You Should Use Indents Instead of Tabs in Your Manuscript—On the RMFW Blog
If you’re using Tabs in your novel, short story, or nonfiction manuscript, your typesetter may not like you very much. It’s important to understand the difference between Tabs and indents. See my article about the difference between them (and how to fix your manuscript if you’ve used Tabs) over on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers […]
How to Trim Those Filter Words from Your Writing – On the RMFW Blog
“Filter words” are sneaky words and phrases that drain the energy from your sentences, dull the tension in your scenes, and slow down your pacing by “filtering” the action through the thoughts or senses of your character. See examples of what I mean in my article on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog here: “Filter […]
Thanksgiving on the Page: Gratitude as a Character Trait in Your Writing – On the RMFW Blog
As you’re developing characters in your stories, have you considered how those characters feel about expressing gratitude to another being? Do they say “thank you” freely, or do they view saying thanks as an obligation or a debt to be paid? Expressing thanks can take on strong meanings for your characters whether you’re writing a […]
Ghost Story Prompts – On the RMFW Blog
Love ghost stories? Why not try your hand at writing one? On the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers blog this month, I’ve posted 10 prompts for writing your own ghost story. If you’re brave enough, manifest yourself over there (“10 Prompts for Writing Ghost Stories”) and conjure up a frightfully good story!
