Jan 16, 2020
I’m not a copyeditor, but I make a point of knowing certain things about the styling of the written word and so should you. Feel free to bookmark this page for reference. Mind you, stylebooks evolve, not to mention that they don’t always agree, so this article isn’t...
Jan 14, 2020
Many characterization guides will tell you to base a character on something like the 49 Personality Archetypes, Jung’s 12 Archetypes, or the 16 Personality Types. (All worth saving for reference, by the way.) These lists have led many budding writers astray, because,...
Jan 13, 2020
Sir Samuel Vimes, the Commander of Ankh-Morpork’s City Watch may be referred to as “Sir” by his butler, “Samuel” by his wife, “Vimes” by his friends, “Commander” or “Sir” by his watchmen, or “Lord Commander” by the city’s aristocrats. But a wise narrator will always...
Jan 12, 2020
The chapter we’re about to edit comes from a story by Mackenzie Lusby, who won the short story contest I ran last year. If you like, you can see the full chapter, along with my edits and suggestions, here. Here’s how the story opens: “In here! Quickly!” Artemis Hoxley...
Jan 11, 2020
You want your characters to jump out of the pages of your book, to feel like real people, to make readers believe in them and their story. Forget then physical appearance, background, beliefs, and all other small items on your typical characterization checklist. Start...
Jan 10, 2020
Self-conscious arguments, apologetic language, and self-censorship are in vogue recently. It’s as if there’s an invisible panel of judges standing over your shoulder as you write, and not even the privacy of your journal can protect you from them. You could say social...
