Trust your readers
One thing I've really had to rely on while cutting the book down was the idea that your readers are smarter than you think. They don't need every connection…
Posts tagged: writing
Clear filter ×Say it loud
Following on from yesterday's post on how I cut 45,000 words without losing my story, I've realised there's one more trick for getting your word-count down.…
Write what makes you happy
I mentioned yesterday how the editor I'm working with immediately saw the flaws in my novel. The crucial issue was that I'd got confused with my target…
Write through their eyes
When describing a scene, don't just paint what's there. Paint what your character sees through their emotional lens. The scared protagonist doesn't notice…
The feedback you're avoiding
Today I shared my WordMaze idea on Reddit, asking for feedback. My finger hovered over the 'post' button longer than it should have. The responses came back…
Immediate, not remote
The past few days have been something of a series of epiphanies for me as a writer. The final one came just last night, while working on the final section/act…
Force a reaction
A chess master once said the quickest way to win at chess is simple: always make a move that forces your opponent to react. Your story works the same way.…
Telling, not showing is a grave mistake
How to spot the evils of telling, not showing