Pearls, Nuggets and Excerpts… the Series, Part 5
On turning the corner from your writing instinct to an informed writing instinct. The difference is what will get you published… and what will attract readers and solid reviews. Day 5 Not all writers understand the nuances of that truth. The nuanced truth is, within any genre there are certain expectations in play: Genre-specific tropes […]
Pearls, Nuggets and Excerpts… the Series, Part 4
Importance of maintaining a healthy diet It can be easy to slip into unhealthy eating habits during this stay-at-home period, but with a little thought and preparation, maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t have to be a chore. Good nutrition is always important, but during this pandemic, it’s even more important because a well-balanced diet of […]
Pearls, Nuggets and Excerpts… the Series, Part 3
More fodder for the writer’s inner learner. Day 3 Principles and criteria are what feed and nourish our instincts as writers. All writers–plotters and pantsers alike–rely on this storytelling instinct. But all instincts are not created equal, nor are they applied at the same point along a writer’s learning curve. It is when those instincts […]
Pearls, Nuggets and Excerpts… the Series, Part 2
More grist for the craft-seeking, solutions-starved author. Day 2 Sometimes knowledge is misinterpreted as formula. Especially if what you are writing is considered a genre novel, versus a book considered to be a literary novel, ala writers like Jonathan Franzen or Ian McEwan or Phillip Roth. Because the expectations of the genre audience is far […]
Pearls, Nuggets and Excerpts… the Series, Part 1
Given our current state of lockdown and distancing, I thought I would stay connected by offering Storyfix readers, regulars and guests–which is to say, those who seek and appreciate insight on the craft of writing novels–a few tasty notions to chew on and apply to their writing beliefs, processes and projects. Hope you are all […]
The “Foreword,” written by NY Times Bestselling Author Robert Dugoni
The Foreword to what, you might ask. I was grateful when Robert Dugoni agreed to write the Foreword for my new writing book, Great Stories Don’t Write Themselves. He went big with this, and it’s the perfect tee-up for the book. Some folks skip the Foreword… here it is again if that’s you (worth the […]
Here’s another video interview that’s actually like an interactive workshop… on the principles that make a story work.
This is the second time I’ve been hosted by Lauren Moore and Kaleen Williams on their fun and informative Youtube channel for writers, Keystroke Medium. Well worth checking out and hitting the SUBSCRIBE button for more. This week is about going deep into how plot serves character, and vice versa. While that may seem 101-level […]
Writing and the Fun Scale — A Guest Post by Debbie Burke
(Quick note from Larry: this courageous guest post from Debbie is a genuine gift. It’s a warm hug from someone who knows and feels what you are experiencing as an author. She’s a terrific writer and a wonderful person who is well loved within the writing community. And… her new novel – and the last […]
27 of the Best Books on Writing: a list, an irony, and an opportunity.
You may know I have a new writing book out. Lord knows I’ve been shouting it from the digital rooftops. It’s been out for three months now, and the book remains in that work its way up the ladder position that seems to be the case for a) less than completely famous authors, b) books […]
The Four Pillars of Premise
In this increasingly strange and troubled world, one might want to salve their soul with a road trip to see the artifacts of a more thoughtful and optimistic time. Such a therapeutic adventure may not be too far away: Writer and curator Sam Lubell along with photographer Darren Bradley released their latest architectural travel guide, Mid-Century […]