Last time we looked at how to use flashbacks effectively. But in new writers’ stories I often see a couple of ineffective ploys akin to flashbacks. One is what I call the Pointless Flashback—it flashes back to something that happened within the span of the story’s timeline. A flashback is …
Tag: Writing
Flashbacks useful if handled carefully
Many writing teachers and critique partners will tell you not to use flashbacks at all. I’m never one to discard a potentially useful technique. It is possible to use flashbacks, and to do them well. You don’t want to use too many of them, or readers will start to wonder …
A strong opening will grab readers
Many readers, whether in a shop or on Amazon, will make a decision about whether to buy a book by reading the first few pages. If you’re lucky, they read pages. They may only read the first few lines. And if you are seeking traditional publication, whether through an agent …
Find the right starting point for your novel
Figuring out how to open your story is difficult, because there might be any number of “right times” to begin your story. But in the Elements of Fiction Editing Checklist I have avoided phrasing things in the negative, so rather than saying “don’t start at the wrong time,” I put it …
Avoid the unnecessary prologue
I took a week off for the Realm Makers conference. Had a fabulous time with all my fellow SpecFic writers, and got some good feedback on my class about representing multiple languages in speculative fiction. Based on that feedback, I’ll be putting the information into a white paper later this …
An alternative to the five-act structure
The traditional three- and five-act structure is great for writers who outline. For those who don’t, not so much which is why it’s not a huge problem if you look at this item on the checklist and can’t really check it off: ☐ Key events or turning points form a …
Choose your novel’s structure
We’ve completed the Plot segment of the Elements of Fiction Editing Checklist, and now we move on to Structure. Traditionally, writing instructors have advocated a structure for novels modeled after that used in theater, which is why this item is on the checklist: ☐ Key events or turning points form …
Don’t rush the ending of your novel
I’ve spent a lot longer on this matter of the satisfying ending than any other point on the Elements of Fiction Editing Checklist. That’s because it’s so critical. A bad ending can ruin an otherwise great book. But I’m nearly done with endings, and next time we’ll move on to …
The end of your novel is about characters
Lots of stuff is going on at the end of your novel. There’s action and revelation and emotional upheaval. But it all must be presented in terms of what’s happening to the people. Ideally, your characters will be proactive. There’s probably a whole other blog post in that. Characters who …
Avoid late character introductions
There’s a lot that goes into crafting a satisfying ending to a novel. So I’ll take a little longer covering this point than some of the others. One problem I sometimes see, even in published books, is a new character suddenly introduced near the end for no apparent reason. Any …