Romancing Your Story
A Trope with a Twist
Readers, particularly romance readers, love stories that feel familiar—shorthand for they use tropes—but also seem new and bring a…
August 23, 2024-
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The Picky PenHow to Edit Characters
As we continue this editing series how we can develop a great story, I hope you’re able to see…
January 22, 2021 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's LifeOh, Happy Day(s)
Thank God for retro television channels. I never pictured myself as a “golden oldie.” I used to cringe whenever…
August 6, 2020 -
History in the MakingThe History of Your Characters
When we think of “historical”, we think the story is set in a historical time period, and many of…
July 20, 2020 -
Courting the MuseWhy Stealing Characters from History Isn’t Just for Historical Fiction
As writers, we’re generally in the business of creating our own inspiration. When it does strike us unbidden, we…
June 13, 2020 -
Romancing Your Story
Writing a Strong Heroine
Editors often say they’re looking for stories with “strong female characters.” Many writers take that to mean the heroine…
August 23, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiThe Beginner’s Guide to Props – Using Them to Show Character
You know the phrase, all an actor needs is an empty room and a script? I’ve heard that idea…
August 7, 2019 -
Romancing Your Story
Should Your Christian Novel’s Hero be Perfect?
When writing a Christian romance novel, should your hero be perfect? I entered a writing contest a few years…
March 23, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Why Disabled Characters Should Be Included in Your Spec Fic Novel
What does “disabled” mean? Generally, it covers everything from physical limitations, such as blindness or deafness or not possessing…
March 7, 2019 -
The Picky Pen
How to Edit Your Character
We’re heading into a New Year. Perhaps you’ve finished a novel during Nanowrimo. Maybe you’re plotting a new story…
December 22, 2018 -
Talking CharacterBuilding Characters: Start with What You Know
If you’ve ever been involved in building a house or a major remodeling project, you understand how overwhelming it…
July 20, 2018 -
ScreenwritingKeep It Real
My number one pet peeve with Christian films is their unrealistic characters. Christian protagonists seem to be too good…
July 4, 2018 -
Talking Character
Your Character’s Backstory—Use It Wisely
Every fictional character has an entire life’s worth of backstory that happened prior to the opening of your novel.…
June 20, 2018 -
A3 Contributor Book Release, BestsellersStory Foundations for the Serious Writer by Best-Selling Author DiAnn Mills
Story ideas can be like fireworks. They soar and explode in beautiful colors…then their dance fizzles to the ground…
February 4, 2018 -
The Writer's PenCaseCreating Extraordinary Characters –– Part V
In this series, we’re looking at personalities, how to develop them, and where to look for more information about…
September 23, 2017 -
Talking CharacterDos and Don’ts for Describing Characters
A writer must find the perfect balance when describing characters, especially when introducing them to a reader for the…
June 19, 2017 -
Editing, The Critical ReaderWhy Did My Favorite Character Have to Die?
by Alycia W. Morales When I started reading the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, friends were conflicted over the…
September 25, 2015 -
The Writer's PenCaseStorytelling – What Makes a Story Great?
What is it about a story that makes it compelling? Is it the characters? Is it the plot? Is…
August 17, 2015 -
Developing Your Writer's VoiceHow Passion Influences Your Voice
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth The breathings of our heart, our passion,…
August 14, 2015
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