By Jordan Dane@JordanDane I’ve been working with college-aged writers recently and noticed that many of them rush a scene by sending it to me too soon, as if they’re in a race. My job is to get them to be … Continue reading
By Jordan Dane I’ve never been a plotter. I’m too impatient. Once I get the general idea of a story with a compelling conflict and a notion of my cast of players, I can’t wait to “discover” the story as … Continue reading
The first step toward recovery is to admit I have a problem. So here it is. I’m NOT a plotter. I’m a complete “pantser.” There, I said it, but… When I looked into plot structure for fiction—while I was still … Continue reading
Writing a thriller is so much more involved than ten tips, but the checklist below is a good start. You notice I used the word TIPS and not RULES. I hate rules. Think of these as talking points to chat … Continue reading
by James Scott Bell [Note: John Ramsey Miller and I are switching days this week.] I love to teach structure, and Joe’s post on Wednesday brought up a tremendously important question. Someone in another writing forum wanted to know how … Continue reading
I’ve got a special treat for you today. This Brave Writer submitted their first page for critique. Check it out. My comments will follow. Lucky Lynx Eduardo’s gun gleamed in the evening light as he tucked it into his shoulder … Continue reading
by James Scott Bell @jamesscottbell Next year will be my 24th as a professional writer. When my first book hit the shelves nobody used a cell phone (Seinfeld had that big brick handset with the antenna, remember?) O.J. Simpson had … Continue reading
By Sue Coletta Another brave writer submitted their opening page for critique. Your help is encouraged and appreciated. Catch ya on the flipside with my comments/suggestions. She Said No. 1996 She walked with a steady clip down Wilshire Boulevard as … Continue reading
Today I welcome back to TKZ my friend and editor, Jodie Renner, to share her checklist on adding suspense and intrigue to your story. Enjoy! Jodie Renner, editor, writer, speaker We all know that thrillers and other fast-paced popular fiction … Continue reading
Have you ever received a text from a family member or close friend and knew something was wrong even though the words indicated the opposite? I’ll show you what I mean with a real-life example. The Kid planned to drive … Continue reading