Tag Archives: writing-tips

Identifying Plot Gaps in Your Novel

I’ve been continuing with my review of my draft novel. I fully believed I had completed it from a plot perspective. Much to my chagrin, a review for editing has shown a big gap in the story. Here’s what happened. As part of the review I have begun, I created a tally of the majorContinue reading “Identifying Plot Gaps in Your Novel”

Navigating Writing Challenges: Tips for Revising Your Manuscript

I’ve been off of writing for a couple of weeks due to company visiting around the holidays. One reason I pushed to complete my NaNoWriMo well before the end of November was to give me the breathing room to prepare for guest. After taking a break, I’ve gone back into my work in progress andContinue reading “Navigating Writing Challenges: Tips for Revising Your Manuscript”

WIP: Finn’s Thrilling Escape: A Scene from Technomancer

Continuing to share the opening scenes from my current work in progress, Technomancer. This is the novel I’m working to complete during NaNoWriMo. Finn could hear the agents in the stair well high above him. He kept his steps light as he hugged the wall and avoided exposing himself should they look over the flimsyContinue reading “WIP: Finn’s Thrilling Escape: A Scene from Technomancer”

NaNoWriMo: Week Two

I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I’m focusing on finishing the first draft of my work in progress, tentatively titled Technomancer. I’ve shared some of the character background and opening chapters of the work here as well. This week, my pace has fallen some, but I’m still ahead with a planned completion date of NovContinue reading “NaNoWriMo: Week Two”

NaNoWriMo Update : First Week

I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I’m focusing on finishing the first draft of my work in progress, tentatively titled Technomancer. I’ve shared some of the character background and opening chapters of the work here earlier as well. I’m pleased to share that one week into the challenge, I am 170% ahead of my plannedContinue reading “NaNoWriMo Update : First Week”

Cosimo: The Fight for Humanity’s Future Begins

Cosimo’s prologue emphasizes the struggles of Ayako and Kgosi, a couple on a mission to secure seeds for a new human colony after a devastating battle against AI on Earth. Amidst the urgency and sacrifices, their hope and determination shine as they aim to build a compassionate and prosperous future despite the dire circumstances.

Flash Fiction: Applying the MICE Model

I mentioned previously that I’ve been watching Brandon Sanderson’s lectures on writing Science Fiction and Fantasy at BYU. Lecture #7 features a guest lecturer, Mary Robinette Kowal. In the lecture, she covers the MICE quotient and has the class apply it to a piece of flash fiction. This struck me as a perfect writing exerciseContinue reading “Flash Fiction: Applying the MICE Model”

Architect or Gardner?

Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy lectures at BYU highlight two main approaches to writing: Architects, who meticulously plan their stories, and Gardeners, who let their ideas organically develop. While many writers exhibit traits from both categories, Sanderson encourages experimenting with different styles to discover what works best for each individual.

Marketing Outcomes – Two Months In

I started posting marketing Monday excepts and follow ups two months ago and promised to share results at a high-level as my efforts bore fruit (or didn’t). Here is the summary of my findings so far. What’s all this mean? Part of building a strong author platform is to keep writing and publishing content asideContinue reading “Marketing Outcomes – Two Months In”

Writing Productivity – Start before you feel ready.  Stop before you feel done.

I suspect I am like many of you in the fact that I read a lot. I like to read for both personal enjoyment as well as personal growth and development. I recently came across a work-focused article that has something for the writer inside as well. Over 30 years ago, the psychologist Robert Boice’sContinue reading “Writing Productivity – Start before you feel ready.  Stop before you feel done.”