Monthly Archives: September 2011
Curiosity Versus Confusion
Some time ago I read an article in the Writer’s Digest by Steve Almond in which he stated what he considers to be the writers Hippocratic oath: “Never confuse the reader.” Initially this seems to clash with much advice about … Continue reading
Filed under Backstory, Writing Rules
Sweating The Small Stuff – It’s All In The Details
Recently an author friend of mine passed along some of the editorial feedback about a manuscript which required rewrites. In a number of instances, the changes weren’t what a writer new to the publishing world would expect. Yes, there were … Continue reading
Filed under Revision
Promises
Whether he realizes it or not, a writer makes his readers a promise, or actually a string of promises. In the first line, the first paragraph, the first page, scene, and chapter, the author is promising, promising, promising. Will the … Continue reading
Filed under Concept And Development
The Ins And Outs Of Backstory, Part 4
In the previous three parts to this short series, I’ve discussed the importance of making backstory a natural, organic part of the story; two techniques to use suggested by Hallie Ephron in her Writer’s Digest article “6 Ways To Layer … Continue reading
Filed under Backstory
