I'd heard the phrase "scene and sequel" for years before I understood what it meant. Jim Butcher explained it in a way that makes sense to me. It reminds me not to obsess about getting conflict onto absolutely every page; sometimes the characters need to pause, think through what … [Read more...] about Scene and sequel
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10 Rules for Writing About Cops
I think the story I'm working on right now is the only one on my list that doesn't have the police in it. (Hmm....) Here are ten really great tips on writing cops. … [Read more...] about 10 Rules for Writing About Cops
Awkward Family Photos
Today's photographic inspiration: Awkward Family Photos. Every family has one. … [Read more...] about Awkward Family Photos
Things you might not have thought about today
John Scalzi's brilliant "Things I Don't Have to Think About Today" is a useful reminder not just for us, but for our characters. If you're writing characters who are not like you -- and I hope you are -- think about the things that they're going to have to deal with that you … [Read more...] about Things you might not have thought about today
Ending chapters with a Yugo
In this interview about their new book, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan mention how the Yugo got into Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist: The co-authors even have a tradition of ending chapters by throwing in a sneaky surprise. "He ended one of his chapters in 'Nick & Norah' … [Read more...] about Ending chapters with a Yugo
The Great Wall of Suckitude
Today's link is for Lisa! It's Maureen Johnson on getting past "the Great Wall of Sucktitude." Sooner or later, no matter how lucky and talented and wonderful you are (whoever YOU are in this particular case) . . . you are going to hit the Great Wall of Sucktitude. You’re just … [Read more...] about The Great Wall of Suckitude
The Nine Stages of Dating a Novel
It's been a week! If you're still doing NaNo, you're probably past the "squee" stage with your book and well into "procrastination" or "expletive." Hang in there. … [Read more...] about The Nine Stages of Dating a Novel
They Fight Crime!
Here's another wonderful story generator: two unlikely characters meet. They fight crime! … [Read more...] about They Fight Crime!
Testers wanted: Content Audit, now with email notifications
I've been working on adding email notifications to Content Audit. It now has options to automatically mark things outdated after a configurable time period -- 3 months, a year, whatever. You can then email the assigned content owner or the original author a list of all their … [Read more...] about Testers wanted: Content Audit, now with email notifications
A Random Trope
This is the link for a random page from the TV Tropes wiki. Use with caution! TV Tropes is a sucking vortex of awesome. You could fall in and not come out for days. … [Read more...] about A Random Trope
