How To Write Shop

Freelance Writing: Voice and Style

Bobbi Dumas — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:02 +0000

I recently finished a big project for a client that involved many hours in the Executive Director’s office, fine-tuning copy and making sure that what I thought the client wanted to say was actually what was showing up on the page. There was a very quick turn-around, and while the project wrapped before the hard [...]

Driving your Young Adult Novel’s Plot

KristiCook — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:19:55 +0000

This month I’m going to talk about craft–specifically, structuring the plot of your YA novel. Often when I’m instructing writing classes, I find that there’s some confusion about plotting. If I ask “What’s your book’s plot?” I get vague answers along the lines of “It’s about a girl who just wants to fit in and [...]

Free the Writer Within!

Kathy Steffen — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:09:38 +0000

Freewriting is a terrific way to sneak your way into the writing zone and then write your way to an idea. I use freewriting any time I’m stuck. Instead of staring at a blank page (whether paper or a blank page on a computer—all that white!) I grab a pen or wiggle my fingers over [...]

5 Character Tips to Intrigue Readers

Kathy Steffen — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:00:05 +0000

One of the best ways to build conflict and suspense in your character and intrigue your reader is to give your character a secret. Better yet, have her lie to hide it and to protect herself. Don’t divulge the secret right away in your story, but keep it hidden until the perfect time to startle [...]

Lots of kerfluffle this month

J L Wilson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:42:05 +0000

Just when you think it’s quietening, some author raises his or her head and starts another brouhaha. It’s always something! * Does spelling matter? Hmm, yeah, it does… * The “slow death of the American author” — what’s your thoughts on this? * Oh, wait. No, we’re not dying a slow death! * And another [...]