August 10th, 2016
Using Internal Conflict to Create Plot
Posted In:
Craft | Janice Hardy
Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy
A lot of focus gets put on the core conflict of a novel--the main problem the protagonist has to solve to win. It's no wonder since that's the whole point of the book, but sometimes, when we look too hard at the external problems, we miss out on opportunities to let the internal problems muck things up.… Read the post
June 19th, 2015
How Judgmental Are Your Characters?
Posted In:
Craft | Janice Hardy
Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy
In real life, being judgmental might cause a few problems, but in fiction, it's something every character should aspire to. How characters--especially the point of view characters--judge the world around them shows readers what that world is like and how it works (and even non-genre writers need to world build, it's just a little different in the details).… Read the post
September 19th, 2014
The Benefits of Doing an Editorial Map
Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Janice Hardy
Janice Hardy
There’s something satisfying about finishing a first draft. The novel that’s been poking you in the brain for months is finally done and you can stand back and marvel at it like a new parent. And like a new baby, there’s an awful lot of mess to go with all that joy.… Read the post
June 20th, 2014
How Emotional Peril Keeps Readers Reading
Posted In:
Craft
Before I dive in, I'd like to say congrats and cheers to everyone at WITS on their new home! It's hard to improve something so good, but they managed to do it. Kudos, Stormies! And thanks for letting me stop by to help you celebrate.… Read the post
April 18th, 2014
Do You Know Your Novel's Theme?
Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Craft
By Janice Hardy
Theme is an often misunderstood and underused aspect of a novel. Years of English classes have made us think that theme is something reserved for literary novels or stories with deep, meaningful messages, not for commercial fiction and good old fashioned stories.… Read the post
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