Capturing Your Character’s Whims as You Write

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Exploring our character’s whims gives the writer insight into juicy morsels of personality and unusual plot points. Those impulses, sudden desires, and uncharacteristic actions make our characters real to the reader. The reader can experience the story through an original outlook on life. Perhaps the reader can identify with the emotions and behaviors enhancing the adventure.

How do we capture those special moments and build them into our story? 

Welcome to the Middle of Your Novel

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writers energetically welcome the beginning of their novels. Whether a writer is a detailed plotter, a pantster, or a mix of both, an individual process guides them into characterization, plot, setting, dialogue, and emotion. Creativity is king and dictates the imagination. Writers inhabit a world of excitement … until the characters step through the first doorway and the middle slowly spirals down. This is where the writer risks the reader skipping through pages and pages to the climax or puts the book aside.

Does it Matter Whether You’re a Pantser or a Plotter When You Write?

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

I am beginning to plan my next book. My fifth.

By this time, you would think I’d have a process down and could just start the writing machine, right?

Except, for me, there is no one process. Each of my books has come together in a different way. Some of those ways I don’t want to go through again.

For Novelists, What is in Your Character’s Lifeboat?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Many of our characters have a lifeboat filled with tangible items and memories that help them survive challenges. This is where a character travels when the storms of life gather and blow. The psychological connections keep the character grounded, inspired, on-task, encouraged, entertained, pacified, and motivated. 

Write a Novella? Easy Peasy …

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

Or so I thought. 

Why didn't someone tell me? Sure, a novella contains fewer words—about one quarter of a full novel to be exact. And I thought that meant less work. Ha! I mistakenly figured I wouldn't need all that goal and motivation stuff. After all, this was short and a romance.  

How Do You Write a Character That Shows Sacrifice?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Our characters are plunged into an unsteady world brimming with high stakes and a strong potential for failure. The character chooses to go after a goal or solve a problem and is determined to do whatever it takes to succeed. But does the character understand that determination and commitment mean sacrifices? How far will a hero go to ensure what he/she treasures is happy and safe?

5 Things to Consider When Naming Your Characters

Edie here. Today I'm super excited to introduce guest blogger, Erica Vetsch. She and several other writers (including our own Ane Mulligan) have just written an amazing book on writing, Writing from the Trenches. Be sure to give Erica a warm welcome and check out this newest book on writing. 

5 Things to Consider When Naming Your Characters

by Erica Vetsch @EricaVetsch

Do you struggle to find just the right name for your fictional characters? It can be a challenge, for sure. Sometimes a character springs into your head with all their quirks and abilities and facial features and with their name solidly in place. Other times, you’re piecing together a character through discovery, asking, coaxing, sometimes begging them to reveal themselves, their personality, and their name.

Novels are Way More than Just Writing a Story

by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

I’ve been writing seriously for the better part of fifteen years, and I still love to sit at the feet of those who are successful and pick their brains. They offer valuable guidance. When a new writer hands me a manuscript it’s easy to see their passion for the story. The concept is good, and they have an idea where the story should go, but as I begin to read, things start to fall apart.

Conveying the Senses of Place to Our Readers

Edie here. Today I'm really excited to introduce you to another author friend of mine, Hope Clark. She writes wonderful cozy mysteries and has a new book releasing. I invited her to stop by and share some of her own writing knowledge and give us a peek at her new book, Newberry Sin. If you haven't read one of her novels, I encourage you to pick one up. You'll become as big a fan as me. 

Conveying the Senses of Place to Our Readers
by C. Hope Clark @HopeClark 

When I pick up a book, usually a mystery, I crave to mentally fall into place . . . literally. Where is this story happening? To not feel like I’m there keeps me distracted from the action, crime, or character distress on the page. I keep waiting to feel like I am present.

The Dilemma of Too Many Characters in Your Novel

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The novel is finished. The writer inhales a breath of satisfaction. Now is the time to begin the editing process. But midway through, a dose of reality hits hard. The story has so many characters that it’s difficult to keep track of their names and the roles they play. 

While the problem may look bewildering, there is a solution, and the story will be stronger by implementing the following suggestions. 

What is Your Character’s Love Language?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Determining our character’s love language is a step forward in understanding the psychological landscape. 

How to Build Exciting Characters into Your Novel

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

One comment I hear frequently from readers is how much they like my characters, especially my secondary characters. I’m often asked how I find them and develop them or what techniques do I use to create them.

How to Create a Captivating Murder Mystery

by Warren Adler @WarrenAdler

I’ve always loved mysteries, my favorite mystery author being George Simenon who, in my opinion, is the master of brevity. Simenon wrote a masterful series of seventy-five novels and twenty-eight short stories following Inspector Maigret. He inspired me to try writing my own mystery series, which I began in 1981. Here I share the top three things you must keep in mind if you want to create as captivating a murder mystery as possible.

What to do When Your Novel Falls Flat

Troubleshooting Your Novel

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

One quarter of the way through my current writing project, I realized the story had fallen flat.

No interest.

No insight into my characters’ inner turmoil.

No excitement about building the plot.

No display of courage and stamina from my characters.

No romantic attraction between my hero and heroine.

No high-stake scenes to keep the reader turning pages.

Writing in First Person Point-of-View - 7 Pitfalls & Praises

by Jayme H Mansfield @JaymeMansfield

Me, Myself & I - Pitfalls & Praises for First Person POV

When the idea for my debut novel was conceived, little thought was given to the chosen point of view. With abandon, I set off on my happy writing path, weaving a story that initially was only for me. Birthed was my natural inclination to write from first person POV. Three novels later, I can’t get the “I” out of me. Call it narcissistic . . . or perhaps it’s just plain fun.

Creating Emotional Distance Can Add Dimension to Your Writing

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Varying degrees of point of view (POV) allows the writer to establish emotional distance between the reader and the character. The distance is set in direct relationship to the role the character plays in the story, the mood, and voice.

The POV character takes the spotlight and has the most to lose or the highest stakes. Every word in the scene and subsequent internal reaction is filtered through the character’s sensory perception and life experiences.

Describing Your Fictional World

by Cynthia Owens @EfficiencyAdict

Become a travel guide for your readers!

One of my weaknesses as a writer is adding sensory details. I tend to start with the dialogue, add the critical action items, and toss in just enough deep point of view (POV) to help the reader connect to the character. Description and sensory details are the last things I consider. Part of this is because I can see my characters’ world. It exists in my head in vibrant detail, but as my critique partners frequently remind me, I’m not always letting the reader in on the action.

So today, as I’m reviewing a manuscript, trying to add all those worldview details I didn’t include on previous edits, I’m reminded of the last time I traveled.

3 Ways to Add Punch to Your Story

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

In the boxing ring of every story’s aim to receive five-star reviews and thousands of sales, some novels emerge as winners, rightfully claiming a “golden glove” award in fiction. We all want to be there and not just for one novel but every one we create.

We writers analyze the hows and whys of bestsellers while incorporating new techniques into our writing. So here’s my challenge—Slip into a pair of writer boxing gloves. Get the adrenaline going and maybe a little caffeine. The following are three of my favorite ways to move closer to a championship title.

Ratchet Up the Tension By Making Your Hero’s Life Difficult

by Henry McLaughlin 
@RiverBend Sagas

Today, let’s explore the question: How can I make it worse for my hero?

Bring In a Gun

Mickey Spillane is credited with saying, “When your plot gets stuck, have someone come in with a gun.”

Why? Because the gun, no matter what the situation, makes things worse.

It doesn’t have to be a physical gun. It can be anything. Your heroine is exploring a strange house and the lights go out.

Tips for Writing Research

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Writing and research go hand in hand. Every topic, whether fiction or non-fiction, needs an element of research. If the manuscript isn’t accurate, the reader will recognize the flaw and toss your work aside. If a writer is spot-on, she will be rewarded with good reviews and more readers. Sort of a no-brainer for us writers.