This month we're unveiling the topic of Character Backstories, why they're important, and how we manage to get the information onto the page without a snooze-worthy info-dump. Because nobody likes an info-dump. Even if it's told in a snarky voice in the narrative, readers recognize an info-dump when they see one. So... how do I… Continue reading Character Backstories – March Round Robin 2023
Tag: fiction
Where I Pretend I Know What I’m Doing…
I have a plan and it's a good plan. Or at least I think it is a good plan. Ask me again when all this is over. So here's the plan... Last Child of Winter is nearly complete. It turned out longer than I intended, which I think is probably good because it means I… Continue reading Where I Pretend I Know What I’m Doing…
Bring On The New
As of October 28th, Darkside of Bright has a completed first draft. Calculating how long this took, it was about 4 months of work start to finish, which isn't bad at all. There are things I am still debating changing but for now, it is going into a virtual corner to sit and simmer while… Continue reading Bring On The New
The Article of Doom
She'd heard all these things before.She knew the chances of landing a traditional publishing deal were astronomical. All the statistics were the same. All the naysaying was the same. And that nagging voice telling her the minimum wage day job was all she would ever know?Yes, that too was the same.So why was this article… Continue reading The Article of Doom
Abandoning or Embracing Cliché’s
I love high stakes stories. I love when the heroes have to battle against all odds and sacrifice all of themselves to reach the end goal. And I love when that end goal is "life as we know it" or Armageddon. And I love the hero who is plucky and normal but housing some extraordinary… Continue reading Abandoning or Embracing Cliché’s
Wrapping up Camp Nano 2021
Why yes, I did technically win Camp Nano this year. But the novel is not quite done. I do have a few scenes left to write, so the forward motion continues. However, the breakneck speed to reach 50k is going to taper off. There are obvious pros and cons to participating in NaNoWriMo, and as… Continue reading Wrapping up Camp Nano 2021
Week 3 – Camp Nano 2021
The joy of Pinterest, and the pitfalls! Whenever I've gotten stuck in the past few days regarding the WIP, I have flown to my Pinterest page where I have selected certain faces to help "cast" or represent the characters in the novel. This has been great fun. So much fun. Probably too much fun. I… Continue reading Week 3 – Camp Nano 2021
Week 2 – Camp Nano 2021
Well, I did say I normally hit a slump right around week two and I wasn't wrong. However, my Pinterest/Reading/Netflix plan did work! I took several hours off yesterday doing other things and in the evening I was able to get words on the page. This isn't to say that this process will work for… Continue reading Week 2 – Camp Nano 2021
Killing Darlings
I'm not certain who first coined the phrase that writers must "kill their darlings" but I find myself staring down the barrel of my proverbial gun today. With my shelter book finally completed - yes, that only took me all of COVID and then some to finish - I am on to the next project!… Continue reading Killing Darlings
The Courage It Takes
Writing is not for the faint of heart. When I started this whole writing thing, I was a child who thought it was great fun. One assignment from a teacher in the sixth grade opened the world of fiction to me and I played around with all the fantasy, making shallow stories that grazed through… Continue reading The Courage It Takes
AJMaguire 