by Margie Lawson

What's behind a laugh?

When people laugh, we almost always pick up what’s behind their laughter. We pick up nuances that add interest and depth and power.

We can usually tell if they think something is crazy-funny.

We can usually tell if they’re laughing at themselves.… Read the post

by Margie Lawson

Have you ever researched writing rules? Wowzee! There are hundreds of them. If you tried to follow them all you’d be paralyzed.

But some are so make-you-and-your-writing-stronger smart, they’re worth sharing.

I’ve pulled together writing rules from several authors:  Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Maya Angelou, Jack London, Elmore Leonard, and Neil Gaiman. … Read the post

by Margie Lawson

“Here Be Monsters” was printed on old nautical maps on regions that were uncharted. 

No one knew what was beyond. They didn’t know what they didn’t know. And unknowns were scary.

In those days, cartographers drew in the off-the-map areas.… Read the post

by Margie Lawson

Writers are the Great Oz for each of their stories.

You know all.

You see everything in your mind-video of every scene.

Sometimes you don’t realize that the reader doesn’t know and see everything too. Or you think you’ve shared enough that the reader would get it.… Read the post

By Margie Lawson

Titles may make books bestsellers or doom them to be shelf-dwellers.

Aack! Feeling the pressure to create a winning title?

I’m here to help. I’ll cover:

• What Could Sabotage Your Title?
• Titles and Traditional Publishing
• The Evolution of a Title
• Margie’s Top Six Tips for a Selling Title
• Two Stories of Before and After Titles
• The Challenge of One-Word Titles
• The Power of Linking Series Titles

What Could Sabotage Your Title?