February 28th, 2018

5 Quick Ways To Shift Description and Setting Into Deep POV

One aspect of writing in Deep POV that’s often overlooked or downplayed is the importance of filtering setting and description through your point of view character (POVC). Remember, in Deep POV you want to avoid drawing conclusions for readers. Don’t tell readers what to think, give them your POVCs raw data and let readers come to their own verdict about how the POVC feels, what they’re observing, and the world they live in.… Read the post

October 5th, 2015

10 Tips For a Strong Protagonist

Posted In:
Craft | Shannon Donnelly

I’ve been reading some manuscripts lately that have trouble sorting out the protagonist, so this seems worthy of a blog. The protagonist—your central character—needs to be worthy of a story. The protagonist also needs enough going on to carry the story.… Read the post

October 2nd, 2013

Seven Ways to Spark Your Writing with "Golden Lines"

Posted In:
Craft

by Fae Rowen

On the plane home from Atlanta in July, I re-read my notes and handouts, highlighting tips that resonated with me as I prepared for a major edit on my WIP. When I participated in the UC Irvine Writing Project, I learned the technique of highlighting a few word in an article, an essay, or short story that were lessons for me and my writing.… Read the post

September 9th, 2013

Moving past ‘Dear Diary’

Posted In:
Blogging Guests | Craft | Inspiration

Writers in the Storm welcomes debut author Debbie Herbert, sharing writing tips on how different types of journals can help you with the initial story, emotion, and even writer's block. And Debbie has generously offered a copy of her debut novel, Siren's Secret, to one lucky commenter.… Read the post

February 17th, 2012

Place Descriptions: It's About Atmosphere Not a Travel log

Posted In:
Craft

By Sharla Rae

When I first started writing, the one thing my critique partners complained about most was my lack of descriptions. I hated doing them. Only the action and characters interested me. Who cares what color the sky is? Who cares if the river was muddy or sandy?… Read the post