Every Novel Needs a Dynamic Opening
If you read “how to” guides on writing novels, they all agree that your story should open with some sort of action that represents a change for your protagonist. The scene should be dynamic, not static. There should be a … Continue reading
Do You Write for Yourself or Your Reader?
If you’re a writer, or indeed any type of artist, who are you working for? Yourself or your audience? There are many people who assert that every artist—writer, musician, painter, filmmaker—should follow their own muse and create what’s meaningful to … Continue reading
If Paperback Books Didn’t Exist, We’d Invent Them
On November 19, 2007, Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon.com, personally introduced the Kindle e-reader at a gala event in New York City. Despite its bulky appearance, the device was heralded as a disruptive technology that could wipe … Continue reading
Great Books Allow – And Even Invite – Repeated Readings
When I read a book, and I like it, I’m inclined to read it again. And again. Just like you’d listen to a favorite record over and over, until the grooves are so worn you have to buy another copy. … Continue reading
Short Story, Novelette, or Novel: All About the Word Count
Written works of fiction come in all lengths as measured by the word count. This is simply the number of words in the document or book. When you’re writing on your computer, word processing applications such as Microsoft Word will … Continue reading
“Fifty Shades of Grey” – Past or Present?
Like nearly every household in America, we now have our copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E L James piled amongst the many other books in our music room, which in any other home would be the living room, … Continue reading