Last week I had to complete the back cover copy for my upcoming book, Carried by Grace. The very next day I had two friends ask me about back cover copy. So I thought I would address that topic today. [Read more…] about How to Write Back Cover Copy that Sells
writing
Who’s Telling Your Story?
Should I write my novel in first person or third (or get totally wild and use second person)?
Am I limited to a single character, or can I use multiple point of view (POV) characters?
Who should my novel’s POV character be?
You want to write a story readers can’t put down, but how do you decide what point of view is the best for your particular story? In fact, how can you even begin to write without having decided this basic element of your story?
There are so many choices. How do you decide what’s best so you can increase your chances of writing a best-selling novel? [Read more…] about Who’s Telling Your Story?
Struggling to find the best markets for your writing?
You have a great idea for an article, and now you need to find a magazine that will buy it. But how do you do that?
You could visit your local grocery store and peruse the magazine rack.
Or visit the library and see what magazines are available there.
That’s how I did it when I first started freelancing in 2006. But I was not only attacking this task the hard way, [Read more…] about Struggling to find the best markets for your writing?
How to Ensure Your Characters and Plot Don’t Flat Line
Is it possible to sell a story that is high on action and adventure, but has flat characters? Yes, though it isn’t easy.
What about a story that is flat on plot, but rich with three-dimensional characters? If your plot is flat, your reader (and that agent or publisher) has no reason to turn the pages. (Look out trash can.)
Your story stands a much better chance of being published if both the plot and characters are well developed. (Tweet this.)
I’m a writer whose strength is in [Read more…] about How to Ensure Your Characters and Plot Don’t Flat Line
How to Use the Ellipsis and the Em Dash
Punctuation is an aspect of English with which many writers struggle. But we must face the reality: incorrect punctuation raises a red flag for editors and makes them more inclined to toss your submission into the trash.
I’m not talking about a missing comma here and there, but flagrant incorrect punctuation. As much as some might hate it, correct punctuation is critically important to your submission.
So today, let’s take a look at the ellipsis and the em dash—two punctuation marks that get misused and often over used.
Don’t Confuse Your Reader with Your Pronouns
Have you ever been reading something and suddenly found yourself lost in pronouns, asking to which “he” is the writer referring?
Pronouns used incorrectly become pesky pronouns to editors. (At least to this editor they do.) The editor is forced to read several more sentences (or paragraphs) to figure out the “he” or “she” to whom the writer refers.
Avoid Pronoun Confusion
A quick grammar lesson will help. I know you cringe at the word grammar but stick with me. You want your manuscript to hit a home run, right? (Maybe you’re thinking you’d just like it to get past first base. But avoid first-base thinking; it’s a surefire way to write a mediocre story.)
[Read more…] about Don’t Confuse Your Reader with Your PronounsShould marketing be your focus right now?
Do you cringe at the mention of marketing? Many writers do.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the verb market as “to expose for sale in a market.”
As a beginning writer (to whom I chiefly speak), my question to you is “What have you got to sell?” [Read more…] about Should marketing be your focus right now?
What Does the Publishing World Expect?
I first met author J.A. Marx this summer when I interviewed her about her debut book, Destiny Defied. During that interview she spoke about publishing industry standards, so I asked her come back and share more.
J.A. has made a special offer for my readers with her post today. See the details at the bottom of this post.
What Does the Publishing World Expect?
by J.A. Marx
Fiction writing is a form of art. It’s fluid. Like music and fine arts, it changes to express and reflect the shifting thought processes and beliefs of our culture.
This can madden or bless the writer, and I’ll sum up why in one word: Subjectivity
I entered Destiny Defied in a contest a few years back. Two judges’ responses:
- “I have not seen this good of writing in years.” Score: 10
- “There are too many characters, and I don’t know where this is taking place.” Score: 4
Madden the writer: Agents and editors are equally biased for their own reasons, so research them before submitting anything.
Bless the writer: Write from your passion. Learn ALL the rules for writing before you start breaking those rules.
The essential standards (mentioned below) required [Read more…] about What Does the Publishing World Expect?