Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

Once we have completed our novel, it may be time to obtain the services of a literary agent.  Here are thoughts on how to find good ones, and how to write a query asking them to look at your manuscript The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

Blue is bluer when placed next to yellow.  Here are techniques on the use of contrast to make our scenes and characters more vivid.  Also, we can learn how to describe characters--and we can be inspired--by reading how the masters create their characters.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

Here are some thoughts about how we can write our story in the first-person, some techniques that will capture the reader.   Also, usually the fewer the adverbs and adjectives, the stronger the writing.  Here's how we can reduce the number of modifiers in our fiction.  And here's a list of the six funniest novels of all time.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

One of the best ways to learn the craft of fiction is to read the works of great writers, those novelists who know how to offer the reader unforgettable images of new places and new people.   Here are examples of character and setting descriptions from skilled writers.   Listening to them, we'll be inspired to create vivid and enchanting descriptionsThe Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

What's the difference between an idea and plot?  It's important to know as we begin writing.  Also, readers love joyous dialogue.  Here are thoughts on how to write it.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

What in our lives made us want to write?  Here's a discussion about lighting that fuse.  Also: here are techniques for showing rather than telling about our story's setting.  And discussed also is a wonderful way to learn to write that takes little extra time or effort.  Finally, how to write dialogue when the characters are afraid.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

A main reason readers put a novel on their all-time top-ten favorites list is because they fall in love with a character.  Here's how we can create characters readers will love.  Also discussed are techniques for writing sad dialogue.  And also: how to get unstuck when writing or novel or short story.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

I've been checking out the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, and here are some impressions of its use for writers.  And: what are the benefits of identifying our novel as being in a genre?  Also, more on  those pesky dialogue tag modifiers.  The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

How can we get off the dime and start writing our novel or short story?  Here are some thoughts.  Also, readers love emotional dialogue; techniques to write romantic dialogue and angry dialogue are discussed.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show

Here is a strong technique for immersing readers in our settings.  Readers will think they are right there with our characters.  Also, almost all stories should have a romance, and keys to writing romance scenes are reviewed.The Write NoteExploring the craft of writing and its impact on pop culture.Listen on:   SpotifySupport the show