It’s not an overstatement to say that backstory can make or break your book. Too much, and your readers may […]
Self-editing
You read it again and again, repeating in your mind: I thought I was showing. This looks like showing to me! So, how do you get out of the show, don’t tell trap? Read on.
Last weekend at the Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival, I spoke with several writers who have gotten stuck in the middle of their book–what I call the ‘soggy middle.’
In the best stories, plot and character are so intricately linked that you couldn’t pull one out without the whole thing unraveling. If you can, it’s going to lead to “can’t connect” or “didn’t love it.” This is called the plot – character connection.
While I tend to read more than the first pages based on the premise, because starting in the wrong place is really common, those first pages can make or break an entry when it’s on submission to an agent or publishing editor—or a reader if you’re self-publishing.
5 Notes About Character Agency: Character agency is a vague concept for many writers. To put it simply, agency means […]
When we talk about structure, I often reference 3-Act Structure and the Hero’s Journey. While many novels are based on […]
This summer, take control of your revisions at Story Camp, a 10-week online structural revision course in a small group […]
As much as I love the 3-Act Structure, it’s important to look at other forms of story structure. One of […]
12
Page 1 of 2
Join thousands of other writers
Get my best advice + updates on all my Ideas TM
If you’re a nerd for writing craft and always looking for ways to improve your writing and revising process, this is for you.
Copyright © Jeni Chappelle. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy