Opening pages are the gateway into your story. If those opening pages don’t grab your reader (or agent or editor), they’ll slam that gate shut and move on to the next book. You won’t get a second chance to hook them again. But openings are hard, usually because we draft them before we truly understand […]
Writing Craft
An Unexpected Benefit of Critique Groups – On the RMFW Blog
When you think of critique groups, you probably assume (hope) that they’ll give you some constructive feedback to improve a scene, chapter, or story. But did you know that’s only half of the benefit you can gain from a critique group? And it’s probably not even the most important half. I’m blogging about this over […]
A Writer’s Tribe: Critiquers, Alpha Readers, and Beta Readers, Oh My! – On the RMFW Blog
What’s the difference between alpha readers, critique groups, beta readers, sensitivity readers, developmental editors, and all the other reader/editor types out there? And what are we writers supposed to do with them all? Each one has a role to play in making your story the best it can be, whether you’re polishing your manuscript to […]
Writing Body Language – Are Your Characters Fluent in Body Language?
In the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the comedians often perform a particular sketch, called “Moving People,” where they pull two audience members on stage. Two of the comedians act out a scene while the two audience members frantically try to pose them to match the dialogue. The comedians are as helpful […]
Just-In-Time World Building – On the RMFW Blog
This week, I’m blogging on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ blog. Hop over there to read “Just-In-Time World Building” for tips on letting your story’s world unfold as your characters encounter it.
Pitch Sessions for Writers – On the RMFW Blog
Looking for a great way to pitch your book one-on-one to agents and editors while nursing a panic attack? You’re in luck. This week, I wrote a guest blog for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) about pitch sessions, which are 10-minute private chats with an agent or editor, often offered as part of writing conferences […]
