The true value of good criticism

My writing friends are good at telling me what’s wrong with my manuscript. “Give more backstory, more introspection” are two comments I routinely receive from members of my writers’ group, as they critique the third manuscript in my trilogy. They have not read my first two books. I begged...

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Aristotle: developing a logical plot

When he wasn’t lecturing on philosophy, nature, politics, metaphysics and ethics, Aristotle was caught up in logic. He even applied logic to writing and expounded a strategy for developing a good plot. Aristotle modeled his strategy after the classic Greek tragedies which had a beginning, middle...

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Blonnie Bunn Wyche: Always on my fingertips

My dear friend, writing partner and mentor Blonnie Bunn Wyche passed away May 2, 2012 in Wilmington, NC. A May 5 memorial service was attended by her family, members of her two critique groups, book sellers, fellow writers, and the many friends she made throughout her 79 years as a teacher and...

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Making social media work for writers

The hardest part of being an author, for me, is promoting my books. Writing them is challenging, exhilarating, exhausting, brain-draining, but in a good way. Writing is fun! Promoting is thorny. Publicizing through social media—capitalizing on networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.—...

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Best book On Writing

I’ve read two books by Stephen King: Christine, a novel about a jealous Plymouth Fury, and On Writing, King’s combination memoir/teaching text. I read Christine because my husband had it in the house. On Writing came into my hands because writers I admire claim it’s “the best book on...

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Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: best book

Don’t Sabotage Your Submission by Chris Roerden is the most informative, helpful book I’ve read about writing. A revamping of the award-winning Don’t Murder Your Mystery, the book offers 230 positive examples of effective techniques to save your manuscript from turning up dead on arrival....

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Sea Quills: write on the coast

Next to writing every day, I count constructive feedback from fellow writers most beneficial to my writing career. I belong to two groups. They meet on the same day, for two hours each, on the first and third Wednesdays of the month: one in the morning; one in the afternoon. Since we all live and...

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Wixumlee ain’t no “Mammy”

To me, characterization is more important than plot. With three protagonists I strive to make them not only different physically but also emphasize their cultural differences. Each one comes from a singular economic background which reflects her speech, manner of dress, education, facial...

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Make your characters miserable

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve learned as a writer is to make your characters suffer. If your protagonist’s life is as sweet as a peach, who cares? If no one steps on her toes, if she has no flaws, if conflict is mild and everyone gives in and makes up easily—who gives a flying...

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