We often talk about telling stories, but how to tell a story is something of a misnomer for novelists. A novelist needs to show the story. Undoubtedly you’ve heard the old advice, “Show, don’t tell.” And you may have heard that yes, indeed, you can and should sometimes tell. For example, you don’t need to…
What are the essentials needed in a query letter? These query letter must-haves are the most important pieces a query letter needs. Tips for Query Letter Must-Haves In the course of my work (as an agent, as an acquisitions editor, now as a publishing consultant), I have found that writers often overlook a few important…
Where I share the basics of how to write a novel synopsis and what exactly it is—plus a novel synopsis example for show-and-tell. What Is a Novel Synopsis? A novel synopsis is a description of the characters and storyline of an author’s manuscript. A brief synopsis runs two or three single-spaced pages, while a longer…
If you’re a self-publishing author, you know you’ll need to hire a freelance editor to make sure your manuscript is in tip-top shape. And if you’re seeking traditional publication, you may want to hire an editor before you submit to make sure your work has the best chance of success. So at some point in…
If you’re an author hoping to have your work traditionally published, it helps to know how publishers acquire novels so you can navigate the process successfully. Do be aware that while some publishers accept direct submissions from authors, many (especially bigger publishers) don’t, and you’ll need to find an agent first. Information on querying agents…
Eliminating or reducing flashbacks in your story can help with the narrative flow and keep readers interested in what’s ahead – and you want your readers to keep turning the pages! Tips for Eliminating or Reducing Flashbacks in Stories Authors like to use flashbacks to show backstory. Unfortunately, flashbacks can stop the narrative flow in…
I was recently a guest on Fabio Cerpelloni’s podcast, Open Draft, and we talked about writing and editing. He distilled our conversation down to 5 key tips for writers (and editors): 1. You won’t win every fight. And you won’t please every reader. 2. There’s no formula to being a successful writer, but mindset matters…
If you’re a writer seeking traditional publication, you probably know that the best way to get that longed-for publishing deal is to find an agent to represent you. This post is intended to help you understand what agents do, why you might need one, and how to find one to represent you. What is an…
One tool authors have when developing plot and storyline is using maps in story setting. Laying out the various places characters will go in the story will strengthen a manuscript with concrete details. What a Map Can Show When Using Maps in Story Setting Such a map helps me see logical inconsistencies in the layout…
I’m sharing some thoughts on the characteristics of satire, including the message, characters, and plots—helpful to authors and editors! Characteristics of Satire: The Message Matters Most I have previously mentioned how some of our assumptions about fiction don’t always hold, and I gave an example of the anti-hero of a comic novel. Which made me…