Avoiding the Comparison Trap
Caitlyn Meissner, Guest Contributor:
I’m a writer, and a comparison addict. Maybe you’re one, too.
Stardate 2.9.2012 – Why Starting a Writer’s Log Is a Good Idea
Daniel Schwabauer
I loved Star Trek as a kid. Not the one with Captain Picard. The one with Captain Kirk. Yes, I am that old. The show taught me two things.
How to Write Description
Daniel Schwabauer
A student recently asked me how a writer decides what to describe and what to ignore when writing fiction. Do I mention the trees? The buildings? The people? Do I describe them in detail, or just give each a few words. How much is too much?
Why Not Was? – The Case Against Using “Was” in Your Novel
Daniel Schwabauer
Put briefly, was is a boring word. It denotes existence. The cat was. The car was. The knife was. Big deal. Lots of cats and cars and knives are. If you want to make me care, show the cat, car or knife doing something interesting: howling, crashing, stabbing.
Changing Values
Daniel Schwabauer
One way to dramatically improve your manuscript is to go through it chapter by chapter and make sure the action of each brings about a corresponding change of values.