Articles related to "Writing Fiction"
Characters Need Unique Dialogue
Dialogue becomes real when your characters' words show their background, attitudes, and culture.
dialogue • writing fiction • creating characters • character background • writing dialogue
Dialogue becomes real when your characters' words show their background, attitudes, and culture.
dialogue • writing fiction • creating characters • character background • writing dialogue
Creating Characters That Live
Ask thought-provoking questions about your character, and then write character sketches to create people that breathe and come to life.
character sketch • creating characters • character development • writing fiction • fictional characters
Ask thought-provoking questions about your character, and then write character sketches to create people that breathe and come to life.
character sketch • creating characters • character development • writing fiction • fictional characters
Discovering the Story Within
Review of Alicia Rasley's series of booklets on writing fiction.
fiction • fiction writing • writing fiction • alicia rasley • discovering the story within
Review of Alicia Rasley's series of booklets on writing fiction.
fiction • fiction writing • writing fiction • alicia rasley • discovering the story within
Fiction Story Ideas - News Events
Here are some tips to use news stories as starting ideas for your fiction.
fiction ideas • story ideas • fiction from news events • writing fiction • story questions
Here are some tips to use news stories as starting ideas for your fiction.
fiction ideas • story ideas • fiction from news events • writing fiction • story questions
Good Dialogue Isn’t Real
Looking for ways to create realistic dialogue? Listen to real people for tips, but keep the dialogue focused and tight
writing dialogue • writing fiction • creative writing • short story • novel
Looking for ways to create realistic dialogue? Listen to real people for tips, but keep the dialogue focused and tight
writing dialogue • writing fiction • creative writing • short story • novel
How to Use Dialogue in Fiction - Four Purposes
Use dialogue carefully and it will serve different purposes, developing character, story background, plots and pacing.
dialogue • writing fiction • character development • plot • backstory
Use dialogue carefully and it will serve different purposes, developing character, story background, plots and pacing.
dialogue • writing fiction • character development • plot • backstory
Lost on the Information Superhighway?
Introduction to <i> Resources for Writers </i>, discussing author's experiences with the world of online resources.
introduction "resources for writers" writing ficti
Introduction to <i> Resources for Writers </i>, discussing author's experiences with the world of online resources.
introduction "resources for writers" writing ficti
Maps and Other Tidbits: Finding Authentic Detail
Review of Mapquest, suggesting it as a site for researching locales for fictional settings.
mapquest • review • reference sources • writing • fiction
Review of Mapquest, suggesting it as a site for researching locales for fictional settings.
mapquest • review • reference sources • writing • fiction
More Southern State Arts Grants
Emerging and experienced fiction writers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana can receive grant funding through state arts councils.
writers grants • alabama • mississippi • florida • louisiana
Emerging and experienced fiction writers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana can receive grant funding through state arts councils.
writers grants • alabama • mississippi • florida • louisiana
Multiple-Choice Adventure Engines
Two nifty new applications have been published for writers who want to create "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" style games.
choose your own adventure • adventure • game engines • software • game design
Two nifty new applications have been published for writers who want to create "Choose-Your-Own-Adventure" style games.
choose your own adventure • adventure • game engines • software • game design
One Writer's Journey
Review of Christopher Vogler's A WRITER'S JOURNEY, a detailed guide to using the classic Hero's Journey as a model for plotting fiction and screenplays.
christopher vogler • writer's journey • fiction writing • fiction • writing
Review of Christopher Vogler's A WRITER'S JOURNEY, a detailed guide to using the classic Hero's Journey as a model for plotting fiction and screenplays.
christopher vogler • writer's journey • fiction writing • fiction • writing
Renaissance Faires and Air Bag Safety
Search engines can help you find information you need, or lead you far astray. Some ideas to help you narrow your search.
search engine writer resource writing fiction jour
Search engines can help you find information you need, or lead you far astray. Some ideas to help you narrow your search.
search engine writer resource writing fiction jour
Reserve Backstory in Fiction
Reveal characters and situations through backstory, a little at a time, instead of telling it all at once. Beloved, One True Thing and CBS's Jericho provide examples.
backstory • writing fiction • writing novels • jericho • anna quindlen
Reveal characters and situations through backstory, a little at a time, instead of telling it all at once. Beloved, One True Thing and CBS's Jericho provide examples.
backstory • writing fiction • writing novels • jericho • anna quindlen
Storyline Interactive: A Guided Tour of the Fiction Writing Process
Review of <i>Storyline Interactive</i> free software for fiction writers. Outlines the program's features and gives some examples.
fiction writing • fiction • writing • writer • software
Review of <i>Storyline Interactive</i> free software for fiction writers. Outlines the program's features and gives some examples.
fiction writing • fiction • writing • writer • software
The Idea's The Thing--Getting and Working with Novel Ideas
Learn how to generate ideas and what to do with them once you've got them.
novel • ideas • fiction • writing • idea
Learn how to generate ideas and what to do with them once you've got them.
novel • ideas • fiction • writing • idea
Using a Personal Journal While Writing Fiction
A personal writing journal is different from a diary, and can be a helpful strategy for writing a book and plotting a novel or short story.
personal journal • creative journaling • journaling software • writing a book • writing fiction
A personal writing journal is different from a diary, and can be a helpful strategy for writing a book and plotting a novel or short story.
personal journal • creative journaling • journaling software • writing a book • writing fiction
Winning Beginnings Contest Winners
Contest winners showcase their talent. Read these catchy openings.
contest • writing • fiction • beginnings
Contest winners showcase their talent. Read these catchy openings.
contest • writing • fiction • beginnings
Writer's Village Moves to New Location
This week I want to update you on an excellent site I've featured in this column. Writer's Village, a meeting place for writers in all fields, has moved.
writer's village • writing • fiction • references • web sites
This week I want to update you on an excellent site I've featured in this column. Writer's Village, a meeting place for writers in all fields, has moved.
writer's village • writing • fiction • references • web sites
Character Development in Fiction
Short story or novel, if you don't know and truly understand your own characters you are facing an uphill struggle all the way. Work hard on real character development.
character profile development • creating character profiles • writing fiction • short story stories • writing competitions lessons tutorials
Short story or novel, if you don't know and truly understand your own characters you are facing an uphill struggle all the way. Work hard on real character development.
character profile development • creating character profiles • writing fiction • short story stories • writing competitions lessons tutorials
All In His Imagination - Part Two
David Gilmour continues to talk about his new novel, <i>Sparrow Nights</i>, as well as his television career and and future writing plans.
canadian literature • david gilmour • sparrow nights
David Gilmour continues to talk about his new novel, <i>Sparrow Nights</i>, as well as his television career and and future writing plans.
canadian literature • david gilmour • sparrow nights
6 Reasons Books Get Rejected
"I'm sorry, but this book just doesn't meet our editorial needs..." are the cruelest words a writer can hear. But what do they really mean?
getting published • rejections • writing • writing fiction • novels
"I'm sorry, but this book just doesn't meet our editorial needs..." are the cruelest words a writer can hear. But what do they really mean?
getting published • rejections • writing • writing fiction • novels
Book Review: Story by Robert McKee
Review of Story, by Robert McKee. While this is a screenwriting book, it is a great (but dense) work on plot, and a recommended read for all novelists.
story • robert mckee • writing • fiction • plot
Review of Story, by Robert McKee. While this is a screenwriting book, it is a great (but dense) work on plot, and a recommended read for all novelists.
story • robert mckee • writing • fiction • plot
Complex Scope of Writing a Novel
To write a novel well is a huge task, incorporating character, theme, voice and much more. Here's how to conquer the intimidation and accompanying writer's block.
writer’s block • novel writing • plot • character • freewriting
To write a novel well is a huge task, incorporating character, theme, voice and much more. Here's how to conquer the intimidation and accompanying writer's block.
writer’s block • novel writing • plot • character • freewriting
Create a Writer’s Retreat
Can't afford a writer's retreat? It's easy to create your own.
writer’s retreat • time to write • writing fiction • writing partner • writing travel
Can't afford a writer's retreat? It's easy to create your own.
writer’s retreat • time to write • writing fiction • writing partner • writing travel
Editing Your Novel for Content
Wouldn't it be wonderful if manuscripts sold the minute they were printed out and sent off to a publisher? More often than not, publishing is a long process.
writing • craft of writing • fiction fiction writing • novel writing • creative writing
Wouldn't it be wonderful if manuscripts sold the minute they were printed out and sent off to a publisher? More often than not, publishing is a long process.
writing • craft of writing • fiction fiction writing • novel writing • creative writing
Fast Writing
National Novel Writing Month and Book in a Week programs push writers fast. How do they work? Can writers produce anything good when the focus is quantity, not quality?
nanowrimo • book in a week • book in a day • national novel writing month • fast writing
National Novel Writing Month and Book in a Week programs push writers fast. How do they work? Can writers produce anything good when the focus is quantity, not quality?
nanowrimo • book in a week • book in a day • national novel writing month • fast writing
Finding a Writing Group
A writers group can focus on critiques, marketing and networking, or simply be a social support group. What kind of a group are you looking for, and how do you find one?
writers groups • writing groups • critique groups • writing skills • online groups
A writers group can focus on critiques, marketing and networking, or simply be a social support group. What kind of a group are you looking for, and how do you find one?
writers groups • writing groups • critique groups • writing skills • online groups
Great First Lines of Novels
A great opening will pull readers into your novel and not let them put it down. Here are ways to develop problems, questions and "uh-ohs" in your first lines.
writing novels • writing books • how to write books • tips on writing • writing fiction
A great opening will pull readers into your novel and not let them put it down. Here are ways to develop problems, questions and "uh-ohs" in your first lines.
writing novels • writing books • how to write books • tips on writing • writing fiction
Natalie Goldberg Offers Organic Approach to Writing
Reviews of Natalie Goldberg's THUNDER AND LIGHTNING and her audiotape WRITING THE LANDSCAPE OF YOUR MIND. These are two excellent tools for developing your skills as a writer.
natalie goldberg • thunder and lightning • writing the landscape of your mind • creative writing • fiction writing
Reviews of Natalie Goldberg's THUNDER AND LIGHTNING and her audiotape WRITING THE LANDSCAPE OF YOUR MIND. These are two excellent tools for developing your skills as a writer.
natalie goldberg • thunder and lightning • writing the landscape of your mind • creative writing • fiction writing
Review of The Writer's Journey
Christopher Vogler's how-to structure plots and create believable characters. Step by step guidelines to develop bestselling stories using the enduring wisdom of myths.
plot structure • character development • create realistic characters • character arc • joseph campbell
Christopher Vogler's how-to structure plots and create believable characters. Step by step guidelines to develop bestselling stories using the enduring wisdom of myths.
plot structure • character development • create realistic characters • character arc • joseph campbell
Setting the Scene in Writing
Create a scene readers can easily visualize by focusing on character interactions, character movement and the surroundings.
setting the scene • writing settings • character development • writing help • writing tips
Create a scene readers can easily visualize by focusing on character interactions, character movement and the surroundings.
setting the scene • writing settings • character development • writing help • writing tips
Storyboards Help Track Plots and Subplots
Use storyboards and scene summaries to keep plots and subplots straight, and give you a whole-story view of your novel. Go further and track character growth and pacing.
storyboards • writing fiction • tracking plots • minor characters • character growth
Use storyboards and scene summaries to keep plots and subplots straight, and give you a whole-story view of your novel. Go further and track character growth and pacing.
storyboards • writing fiction • tracking plots • minor characters • character growth
Write Compelling Opening Lines
It only takes editors a few pages to know if they like your novel. Here are some tips to develop character, setting and mood in your first lines.
writing novels • writing books • how to write books • tips on writing • writing fiction
It only takes editors a few pages to know if they like your novel. Here are some tips to develop character, setting and mood in your first lines.
writing novels • writing books • how to write books • tips on writing • writing fiction
Write What You Know
John Grisham, Dick Francis, Jeff Stone and Sara Gruen are great examples for aspiring writers to "write what you know."
writing fiction • how to write • write what you know • tips on writing • writing novels
John Grisham, Dick Francis, Jeff Stone and Sara Gruen are great examples for aspiring writers to "write what you know."
writing fiction • how to write • write what you know • tips on writing • writing novels
Writing Strong Characters in Kids Books
The best way to build characters is to understand their inner drives. You can learn an enormous amount about children and their inner needs by watching them playing.
writing for children • building characters • writing fiction for kids • creative writing tips • young adult fiction writing tips
The best way to build characters is to understand their inner drives. You can learn an enormous amount about children and their inner needs by watching them playing.
writing for children • building characters • writing fiction for kids • creative writing tips • young adult fiction writing tips
Writing the Mystery Short Story
What are the ingredients for a good mystery short story? Clues, red herrings--what other elements do you need to create a salable story?
mystery writing • mystery short story • short story • selling short stories • marketing short stories
What are the ingredients for a good mystery short story? Clues, red herrings--what other elements do you need to create a salable story?
mystery writing • mystery short story • short story • selling short stories • marketing short stories
Avi Gives Advice on Writing
Newbery Award winning author Avi gives how-to-write advice in "A Beginning, A Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing."
avi • writing fiction • novel writing • book review • how to write
Newbery Award winning author Avi gives how-to-write advice in "A Beginning, A Muddle, and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing."
avi • writing fiction • novel writing • book review • how to write
Do You Need a Plot Outline?
The most difficult part of writing a book is planning ahead of time where it will lead. That is why a good plot outline is so essential.
plotting • writing • craft of writing • novel writing • outlining
The most difficult part of writing a book is planning ahead of time where it will lead. That is why a good plot outline is so essential.
plotting • writing • craft of writing • novel writing • outlining
Editing for Themes and Structure
A good edit can make a huge difference to your story for kids. This article, the first of three, looks at editing for themes and structure.
creative writing tips • writing tips • online creative writing • creative writing advice • tips for writing
A good edit can make a huge difference to your story for kids. This article, the first of three, looks at editing for themes and structure.
creative writing tips • writing tips • online creative writing • creative writing advice • tips for writing
Marketing - Three: What stories can you find?
Marketing Your Writing: What stories can you find?
marketing • writing • publishing • joanne reid • free course
Marketing Your Writing: What stories can you find?
marketing • writing • publishing • joanne reid • free course
Plotting Your Book for Children
There are three kinds of storyline in fiction. This article explains the different categories.
kids books • write books for children • writing books for children • writing stories for children • write books for kids
There are three kinds of storyline in fiction. This article explains the different categories.
kids books • write books for children • writing books for children • writing stories for children • write books for kids
Six Books on The Craft of Writing
There are so many how-to books about writing one could easily fill a room. But which books are really needed to help improve writing skills?
writing • writing fiction • reference • craft of writing • writing techniques
There are so many how-to books about writing one could easily fill a room. But which books are really needed to help improve writing skills?
writing • writing fiction • reference • craft of writing • writing techniques
Why We Love SFF
What's unique about the SFF genre? Creativity, the power of metaphor and meaning, and tools to meet both logic and the inner dreamer. SFF writing just does more.
the artist’s way by julia cameron • animal farm 1984 george orwell • growing wings by laurel winter • the left hand of darkness and earthsea wizards by • is sff not real literature
What's unique about the SFF genre? Creativity, the power of metaphor and meaning, and tools to meet both logic and the inner dreamer. SFF writing just does more.
the artist’s way by julia cameron • animal farm 1984 george orwell • growing wings by laurel winter • the left hand of darkness and earthsea wizards by • is sff not real literature
Write Better Short Stories
You need equal parts of skill and craft plus plenty of practice to turn rather ordinary attempts in to decidedly Better Short Stories.
write better short stories • writing fiction • how to write a short story • character • point of view
You need equal parts of skill and craft plus plenty of practice to turn rather ordinary attempts in to decidedly Better Short Stories.
write better short stories • writing fiction • how to write a short story • character • point of view
Deanne Durett: Non-Fiction Pro
Interview with nonfiction writer of educational books, Deanne Durrett. She offers writing advice, tips on writing.
deanne durette • writing for children • nonfiction writing • writing advice • writing tips
Interview with nonfiction writer of educational books, Deanne Durrett. She offers writing advice, tips on writing.
deanne durette • writing for children • nonfiction writing • writing advice • writing tips
Finding Ideas for Picture Books
Finding ideas for picture books can seem daunting. Hans Christian Anderson Award winner, Margaret Mahy found inspiration in a motel swimming pool.
award winning children's books • margaret mahy • margaret mahy books • theme ideas • books picture
Finding ideas for picture books can seem daunting. Hans Christian Anderson Award winner, Margaret Mahy found inspiration in a motel swimming pool.
award winning children's books • margaret mahy • margaret mahy books • theme ideas • books picture
Marketing - Seven: Spin-offs and what to do with them
Market Your Writing - Spin-offs and what to do with them
market • writing • spin-off articles • selling • freelance
Market Your Writing - Spin-offs and what to do with them
market • writing • spin-off articles • selling • freelance
The City of Ember Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Interview with children's author Jeanne DuPrau. She discusses the craft of writing and offers tips and advice to others. Also a review of her book "City of Ember", "The People of Sparks", written by Sue Reichard
"city of ember" • jeanne duprau • writing for children' • writing tips • writing advice
Interview with children's author Jeanne DuPrau. She discusses the craft of writing and offers tips and advice to others. Also a review of her book "City of Ember", "The People of Sparks", written by Sue Reichard
"city of ember" • jeanne duprau • writing for children' • writing tips • writing advice
A Huge Thanks to the Readers of Writing Bestsellers
Changes at Suite101 means that "Writing Bestsellers" will be on hiatus until further notice. Thanks to all my readers. Please stay tuned...
managerial changes • paying site • writers • publishing • articles
Changes at Suite101 means that "Writing Bestsellers" will be on hiatus until further notice. Thanks to all my readers. Please stay tuned...
managerial changes • paying site • writers • publishing • articles
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
0-9 |