Archives
Intro to APD –– Part I
Posted on January 24, 2017 1 Comment
I’m going to share about Avoidance Personality Disorder (APD). It goes by other names, like Root of Rejection, Rejection Syndrome, but the clinical name is Avoidance Personality Disorder. I’ve not been formally diagnosed by a professional, but I have a section about rejection issues on this website that provides the basic symptoms of rejection. Rejection […]
Story-fixing Your Novel––Part IV
Posted on January 18, 2017 Leave a Comment
This time we’re talking about setbacks. How can hindrances, hold-ups, delays, impediments, and obstructions to your protagonist can actually help move your story along? Click to Tweet #amwriting #story-fixing
Kicking the Goads
Posted on January 17, 2017 Leave a Comment
I’ve been taking a deep, long, and hard look at my life in the last couple of months. Some negative things have occurred in the fall that caused me to question my direction. Self-reflection is a good thing, because we need to take stock of ourselves from time-to-time. Click to Tweet Knowing where we are […]
What is the Measure––Part II
Posted on January 10, 2017 Leave a Comment
While taking stock, I’m not in a hurry. But what I am doing, is pursuing God in a deeper way, going back to incorporating more of the spiritual disciplines, hoping God will either confirm my direction, or tell me to seek another way. #whatsyourmeasure #takingstock
Story-fixing Your Novel––Part III
Posted on January 4, 2017 1 Comment
Interlude. Scene and sequel. Taking a break. Hit the pause button. You know, that thing in-between scenes, right after a scene, the character processes, takes stock of what’s just happened, and decides what they’ll do next. Even an action novel or cozy mystery needs to have an interlude. Click to Tweet #amwriting #story-fixing
What is the Measure––Part I
Posted on January 3, 2017 1 Comment
If you’ve been reading, you know that I’ve been struggling with my writing. This has been going on a long time, but has been coming to a head after a prolonged season of disappointments and rejections. It has caused me to question certain things. #whatsyourmeasure #takingstock Sometimes, you have to take stock of yourself and […]
Story-fixing Your Novel––Part II
Posted on December 14, 2016 Leave a Comment
What makes a story? Is it the plot? Is it the characters? Is it both? Yes and no. You can have the best plot in all the world, but if no one cares about your characters living the plot, then the story doesn’t succeed. The U.S. Declaration of Independence talks about as our main goal…life, […]
Story-fixing Your Novel––Part I
Posted on December 7, 2016 Leave a Comment
You’ve written your novel and proofread it for grammar and usage. We’re starting a new series based on Troubleshooting Your Novel. In it, pantser extraordinaire Steven James will show us what questions to ask ourselves to analyze and fix some of the problems our novels have. Asking yourself the right questions when story-fixing your novel […]
Creating Suspense––Part VI
Posted on November 2, 2016 Leave a Comment
The clock is ticking. Will the hero save the girl? How will they escape the villain? We’ve looked at the term “cliff-hanger” –– what it means and its modern origins in the silent film era. But even after sound, cliffhangers kept moviegoers in suspense. They’ll keep your readers turning pages. Click to Tweet #amwriting #creatingsuspense We’re […]
Creating Suspense––Part IV
Posted on October 12, 2016 3 Comments
Every genre can utilize these suspense techniques to create tension and generate a page turner. We’re looking at different suspense threads. Last week, we looked at Macro and Scene suspense. This week, we’ll look at Hypersuspense and Paragraph Suspense. What drives suspense? It’s that question: What will happen next? Click to Tweet #amwriting #creatingsuspense
Donna L.H. Smith 