Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

Exploring interior monologue pitfalls and romantic tensions. Balancing action and thoughts in writing. Portraying dreams and suspension of disbelief. Contrasting showing vs telling techniques in writing.

We writers may never know to whom our words will have a profound meaning.  Plus, the importance of cause and effect.  And the perils of interior monologue.Support the show

Should you share your manuscript with friends and family? The podcast dives into the pros and cons of seeking feedback on your writing. It highlights the challenges of getting constructive insights from non-writers and the importance of knowing your audience. You'll also learn how to enhance your writing by focusing on specific, concrete imagery and utilizing strong verbs for vivid storytelling. Plus, it features romantic lines from literature that exemplify powerful expression. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their writing craft!

What should we look for when editing our own manuscript?  How do famous authors do it?  What should we look for as we edit?  This episode discusses the editing process, the good and bad of it.Support the show

Topics of earlier episodes are boiled down to sixteen points, and we'll talk about them briefly.  Also, here are some things we can do to make our sentence-by-sentence writing more pleasing to readers' eyes and ears.Support the show

How can we shake loose from our brains plots for our novels?  Here's my favorite way.  Plus, benefits and perils of writing with a partner.  More on accents.  And avoiding adverbs, which are not a writer's friend.Support the show

Why don't we begin our novel?  Here's a reason, and a way to avoid it.  Plus, we'll talk about qualifiers and intensifiers, the leeches of language.  And some thoughts on profanity and slang.  And why age benefits novelists.Support the show

Dive into the pitfalls of modifiers that can make writing feel rickety. Discover how unnecessary adjectives can dilute your prose and create confusion. Learn the dangers of dangling modifiers and complex verbs, all while embracing the power of simplicity. With humorous examples, this discussion showcases the value of clear and concise language, emphasizing how a few precise words can elevate your narrative. Anecdotes from renowned authors further highlight the journey toward successful storytelling.

Dive into the art of vivid sentence construction and learn to dodge pitfalls like clichés and mixed metaphors. Discover how precise language can energize your storytelling. The discussion reveals how age and experience can enhance creativity, and even shares some hilarious bad analogies from high school essays. Balance is key—too many modifiers can weaken your prose. Unlock the secrets to powerful writing while finding inspiration from historical figures who thrived later in life.

Our writing should be a clear window to the story, and a technique is to, in Einstein's phrase, keep it simple but not too simple.  Here are some techniques for doing that, along with a discussion of metaphors and similes.Support the show