Ah, the irony!
Having last month complained about wordcount conventions for aspiring authors, particularly the idea that their books should be as short as possible, I’m now devoting even more words to this topic.
Tag Archives: How to write
On Drafting Sequels Out of Sequence of Traditional Publishing
Drafts of all three books in my proposed trilogy (and a single sheet of paper to spare!)
Experts are adamant that you shouldn’t do it.
When you’ve written the first book in a series that you want to have traditionally published—or rather a book that has “series potential”, to use the correct querying parlance—they say you absolutely should not write a sequel (or sequels) until the first book is sold.
On Plotting a New Novel By Pantsing It
It was supposed to be a beat sheet I was creating for my next WIP.
I’ve always considered myself a plotter. I’m very fond of pantsing my way through revisions, rewriting a scene five times in quick succession if need be rather than taking the time to outline the most feasible approach.
A Word on Word Choice When Writing Historical Fiction (pt. 2)
(Continued from Part 1)
Last week, I wrote about the care I take with word choice in writing
Specifically, the first of three questions that I ask myself in attempting to create a narrative that sounds of a bygone era for historical fiction.
A Word on Word Choice When Writing Historical Fiction
As writers, we all naturally pay close attention to the words we use in our prose.
Being a writer of historical fiction has made me even more mindful of word choice.
Characters’ Physical Descriptions in Fiction: An Argument in Favour
I’m often of two minds about things when it comes to writing.
Case in point: in my previous post, I argued that physical descriptions of characters of the sort that itemize their hair colour, eye colour, height, and hair style are largely irrelevant to the plot and point of most stories.
Characters’ Physical Descriptions in Fiction: An Argument in Opposition
Last year, while having parts of my WIP critiqued by a CP, I received an unexpected bit of feedback.
It had to do with the physical description of a certain character. Specifically, the fact that, in her mind, I hadn’t provided a physical description at all.
On Researching to Write Historical Fiction (pt. 2)
(Continued from Part 1)
My previous post on researching to write historical fiction recommended starting large.
That is to say, beginning with a book that provides a broad overview of the historical era in question.
On Researching to Write Historical Fiction
When it comes to writing historical fiction, your plot, however entertaining, will only take you so far.
You also have to present a well-constructed setting that captures the culture, customs, details, and ethos of the historical period in question. In this way, histfic genre conventions have as much in common with an honours-level history class as with any other genre of fiction.
A Frame Around Infinity 