Getting Published: Is Your Story Idea Strong Enough?

The initial idea for a story usually consists of one of two elements: a concept, or a character.  Sometimes it’s a theme, but that makes you the exception (and a lucky one, because theme often gets the least developmental treatment). If you try to write your story with one and not the other, and if that one […]

Should You Be Obsessed With Getting Published?

I love talking to writers about writing. Sometimes I get downright evangelistic about it.  Yeah, that’s me, delivering a keynote at the recent Portland Creative Conference in front of about 500 or so folks who didn’t expect to see a fiction writer pounding the podium like a starry-eyed politician stumping for votes. I work myself […]

Part 7: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

Today brings the 7th and concluding post in our series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization” Part 7: A Sum in Excess of the Parts   One of the reasons writers get confused about these separate elements of storytelling is that, at the end of the day within a story that works – and let’s […]

Part 6: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

(Click HERE for an incredible reader review of this site, and of my 101 Tips ebook.) Today’s post is the 6th in a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization”  Part 6: Crafting an All-important Character Arc Last time we introduced the notion of inner versus outer conflict, the inherent demons of personality and […]

Part 5: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

 (Click HERE for an incredible reader review of this site, and of my 101 Tips ebook.) Today’s post is the 5th in a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization” Part 5: Inner vs. Outer Conflict – the Clash of the Demons In part 1 of this series on character, I suggested that the one […]

Part 4: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

Today’s post is the 4th in a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization”  Part 4: Crafting Backstory Recently a football player at the University of Oregon made national news – and Youtube – by punching an opponent after a game.  It was an immediate hit – pun intended – on the Boise […]

Part 3: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

Today’s post is the 3rd in a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization”  Part 3: The Psychology of Character In my ebook, 101 Slightly Unpredictable Tips for Novelists and Screenwriters, I recommend that you watch Dr. Phil.  Really.  Or Oprah.  Or read the latest pop psychology bestseller. Or better, take one of […]

Part 2: Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

Today’s post is the 2nd in a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization” Part 2: The True Empowering Definition of “Character” There are three ways you, as a writer, can define character.  One of them is dictionary-like and completely less than relevant to this discussion.  One is simply a literary adjective.  And […]

Characterization – How to Make Your Readers Love ‘em Instead of Leave ‘em

Today’s post kicks off a 7-part Series on “The Art and Craft of Characterization”  Part 1: An Introduction I know what you’re thinking: been there, done that.  Because there’s very little about writing fiction that’s more common, boringly predominant and – here’s the rub – blatantly obvious than the vast oeuvre of characterization. You’re heard […]

Is Your Writer’s Block Just An Excuse?

Today’s guest blogger runs a great site for writers looking to accomplish the same thing that Storyfix offers, which is solid learning about the craft.  Check her out at  www.writeitsideways.com. A guest post by Suzannah Windsor Freeman  Everything’s going just fine. Your writing is taking off. You’re gaining confidence as your productivity level soars. Then one day, […]