The Martian… Deconstructed
Two days ago I wrote about the phenomenon called The Martian, a 2009 self-published novel that against all odds found an agent and became a New York Times bestseller, and then was made into the current hit movie (and Oscar contender in several categories) by the same name, starring Matt Damon. The backstory of how […]
Story Structure and the Self-Published Home Run
Andy Weir is a self-confessed geek. He is also the author of the bestseller, The Martian, the film adaptation of which is in theaters right now. He was (the tense there is important) a computer programmer by day, a science fiction fan and aspiring author by night. Weir is a guy who sweats the details […]
Excerpt from “Story Fix: Transform Your Novel From Broken to Brilliant”
If you’re a student of the writing game, I’m betting you’ve heard of Jane Friedman. Once the Publisher of Writers Digest Magazine, she is now one of the most respected and oft-quoted voices in the publishing world, with a noted blog on the topic that includes its share of craft focus, as well. I awoke […]
Writerly Observations From Paris
Nothing like three weeks in France, with the last ten days in Paris, to clear your head. That’s the theory. Fact is, though, we’re writers. So a place like Paris doesn’t clear your head, but rather, it fills it with passion and romance and, if you don’t live in New York and know the drill, […]
Tips to Create Emotional Connection with Your Readers
A guest post by Linda Craig Take a moment to think about the best book you have ever read. Why were you so hooked on it? You couldn’t leave it for days… you sympathized with every emotion the main characters went through. You laughed, cried, and suffered with them. That’s what distinguishes a brilliant author […]
How to Plan Your Story in Six Weeks
A guest post by Jennifer Blanchard When I first learned about story structure and story planning, I was inspired to no end. I knew I’d found the missing link, the information I was lacking that would now help me write stories worth publishing. The idea of planning a story before you write it is total […]
Oops! Your Exposition is Showing
A guest post by Jessi Rita Hoffman Does your dialog writing sound natural or off-kilter? Does it read like real people talk, or like grade school children stumbling over their parts in a play? If you have patches of dialog in your novel that just don’t ring true, it may be because your exposition is […]
The Unspoken Pinch Point: Your Climax
A guest post by David Villalva The climax of your novel should leave readers with some combination of emotional and intellectual satisfaction, as well as any intended sense of unease – often creepy. Or if it’s a part of a series, a compelling bridge into the next installment. Either way, you want your final act to resonate, to […]
Published! My New Writing Book is Now Available!
At least, for ordering online in trade paperback and as Kindle and Nook editions. Bookstores are usually a little late to the party, but they may have it by now, as well. I’m guessing, though, it will be a bit down the road for them, a few days or a week or so. Which new […]
First Page Jitters… and a Model of Excellence
On Day One of any writing class you’re likely to be reminded how important your first page is. I once participated in a panel discussion with an agent who claimed he could tell if he wanted to represent a book after reading only the first page. For the record, I heartily disagreed with the veracity of […]