Writing advice for making your fiction or nonfiction clear and concise. Editing advice to help you.
An Editor’s Writings, Thoughts & Musings
Using Personality “Tests” in Fiction
Who are your readers? Who are your characters? How do you connect them? In essence, this is the challenge of the fiction writer -- replacing real people with believable ones, and then somehow making them real for the real ones. The connections? Personality. (Not even "humanity" because even non-human characters need to have a personality.) [...]
Write like the greats: Charles Bukowski
Emotion breaks across the page in poetry. I examine how Charles Bukowski hid vulnerability in his strength.
On drinking, smoking, and drugs in fiction
Readers think they're smart. Be prepared to go Gonzo rather than trying to trick them.
Chance, Luck, & The Deus ex Machina in Fiction Writing
Use chance and luck to explore subtle nuances of a character's choices and fufill their destiny.
Writing Challenge: Include sensations of movement
The universe is in constant motion. This is my understanding of its oh-so-important laws of physics. Movement is as natural and as important to the world condition as anything. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, it's important to address your characters movements through space. How can you describe the movements of people in their mannerisms and [...]
Reading for Fiction Writing
Writers love to read. Learn to leverage your reading for better writing.
The Importance of Food in Fiction
Do you remember the basics of food in your writing? How to use food to connect with your readers.
On the Bechdel Test
Realistically, not all conversations between characters of the same gender revolve around the opposite gender.
Fullness of Absence
Silence as a space to be filled or cherished - the very idea made me think. Isn't silence already full?