The only just literary critic is Christ, who admires more than does any man, the gifts He Himself has bestowed. – JRR Tolkien
novel
Story Pacing – Urgency – Hooking Readers
The First Fifty - Crucial - Pages of Your Book

What is the Best Point of View to Use in Fiction?
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each POV in Your MS

As a beginning writer who chose to write my first book in first-person narrative, I discovered the drawbacks of such an approach the hard way.
Halfway through the book,… Continue reading →
Adverbs – Part Three
The Dreaded LYs

When discussing adverbs in regards to writing fiction, the kind we’re usually talking about are the ly words – like clearly, dearly, and madly.
Many high-brow critics complain that the use of… Continue reading →
World Building – Information Dumps in Your Story
Are You Overwhelming Your Readers?

Have you ever run across a prologue like this:
(usually in sci-fi books)
Captain Briggs took the helm and began shouting orders. “Ensign, optimize the traspositional filtration valves to ignite the gravitational destabilizers.”… Continue reading →
Sentence Fragments – Stylistic Choice?
Should I Use Sentence Fragments?

Sentence fragments.
Who cares? You? Me?
Anyone?
Depends.
Writing nonfiction?
Probably wouldn’t.
Work, that is.
Writing fiction?
Could be.
Depends.
On what?
Style.
Rewriting and Revising Before You Edit
How Many Manuscript Drafts Should You Go Through?

When working on a book of any kind, if you haven’t gone through a minimum of three drafts, you probably don’t have a finished product.
The first draft should be… Continue reading →
Edit Your Book
Why You Should Edit Before You Send to An Editor

Whether you’re publishing your book yourself, sending to an agent, or to a publisher follow these important tips.
When you’re getting ready to send your manuscript off, always… Continue reading →