Tighten Your Prose with help from the pros

An article idea floating around the back of my mind for some time is on how to cut, delete and otherwise chop out words you don't need from a manuscript. What started the thought? I hate the word "that". It's grossly overused and does nothing to advance story. (I admit it, I'm a word-a-holic).

So when I started researching, imagine my glee to find others had the same thoughts. Here are some of their hints on what to cut...

Ten Ways to Tighten Your Prose by Susan Ioannou

8 Ways to Tighten Your Prose by Michele Bardsley

Six Ways to Tighten Your Writing by Karen Hertzberg

How to Use Modifiers More Effectively by Ginny Wiehardt

I think that's enough for now...

Happy tightening,
Beth

Plot v. Character, Round II

Because I'm not done thinking about this yet, here's another fun, insightful post on the differences in plot and character-based stories. Good stuff from Bob Mayer and Jenny Crusie (check out the rest of their blog for more entertaining stuff).

He Wrote: Situational Vs. Character Ideas by Bob Mayer (be sure to check out Jenny's replies--links on the top of Bob's page).

Happy writing..whatever you prefer...as long as you're writing...

Beth

You Say Plot, I Say Character

From an innocent question from a non-romance fiction writing friend, I've started thinking about that elusive question I managed to snuff out when I gave up novel-length fiction writing for freelancing (but the question was never quite answered)

Plot or character? Which is more important? How do you write?

I'm going to go into thoughtful introspection with this on my other blog (www.writer-in-progress.blogspot.com) over the weekend sometime, but in the meantime, here are a few articles to make you think about which you consider most important, how it impacts your writing, etc.

And note--neither is better than the other as long as it results in you finishing the damn book!

Character Driven fiction by John Morgan Wilson

Character Driven or Action Driven? by Martha Alderson (who's penned a terrific book on plotting: Blockbuster Plots, Pure and Simple)

Creating Characters from Plot by Melanie Anne Phillips

That should be enough for now--get reading so you can get writing!

Happy Plotting (or Character-izing),
Beth

Article: Seasonal Promo

Really insightful, thoughtful article--just the thing I've come to expect from Patricia Fry (a writer's writer, for sure!)

Patricia shares with us ideas on how to use the holidays year-round in your favor when it comes to promoting your work. I dare you to read it and not get excited by ideas that pop up!

Seasonal Promotion by Patricia Fry

And if you're interested, here are a few places you can find worldwide holidays listed to suit nearly every interest/fancy/topic:

holidays.net

earthcalendar.com

world-calendar.com


Happy holiday-ing,
Beth

Writer's Voice

We all hear it but few of us know how to truly discover it...our writer's voice.

Whether you believe it or not, you do have one. Now, whether you use it to its potential in creating mood and tone is another question altogether, but if you're curious how to strengthen or even discover your writer's voice, here are some excellent resources to guide you in the process:


Holly Lisle's Ten Steps to Finding Your Writing Voice

Stella Duffy's Develop Your Voice

Christopher Meeks' Finding Your Voice

Julie Elizabeth Leto's Ditching the Book of My Heart for The Book of My Voice

That should hold you over...

Happy voice discovering!

Beth

The Inevitable...

...and you thought this post would be about rejection letters, didn't you?

With the start of the new year always comes thoughts of everyone's favorite things...weight loss and making money...which leads us to taxes....

If you're not up on how you can benefit from being a writer come tax time, here are a few articles for insight on what you might be missing and how you can make the most of your writerly status when Mr. Tax Man comes knocking....

**Please also note that I'm no tax expert and there may be updates these articles don't address. Always consult an expert, not a blog, when you have questions :)**

Tax Tips for Writers by Teresa V.M. Stone

Authors and the Internal Revenue Code by Linda Lewis

Taxes and the Writer by Daniel Steven

Taxes for Freelancers: Don't Let Them Eat You Alive by Durant Imboden

I would end with "happy taxing"...but that's quite an oxymoron if I've ever heard one...

Beth

Conferences & Workshops

Two perennial biggies in every writer's experience...conferences and workshops.

Donna Caubarreaux has created two helpful blogs in finding more about both.

Visit her conference blog: Writer's Conference Blog
and/or her workshop blog: http://www.writersworkshops.blogspot.com/

Happy Writing & conferencing,
Beth

Charlotte Dillion's Resources for Romance Writers

Let's just say that if you haven't ever ventured down the 'net path to check out author Charlotte Dillon's amazing resources for romance writers, you truly are missing out.

I came across Charlotte's page when researching an article on online resources for writers and thoroughly enjoy losing myself there when I have time to burn (aka awaiting the muse, some say). Even though I write mainly contemporary or paranormal, she has links and info for every sub-genre and all kinds of research you probably never even thought you'd need.

From craft to characters to queries and promo, she's got it all. Get over and visit right now! If I had a "best of Fountain Pen, Inc" award, she'd surely get it for this site.


Charlotte Dillon's Resources for For Romance Writers

How to Write a Novel in 100 Days or Less

Today's post comes courtesy of John Coyne from the Peace Corps Writers website.

I wouldn't guarantee you'll have a polished, publishable manuscript in 100 days or less, but the nuggets and tidbits of info and advice are worth considering in your quest to get your book done and out there. Interesting, simple reading....

How to Write a Novel in 100 Days or Less by John Coyne

Happy Writing,

Beth

Online Workshop: He Wrote, She Wrote

If you're a fan of Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer (even if you aren't), here's some fun for 2007: a free, updated-twice-a-week workshop for fiction writers.

I had the pleasure of seeing Jenny & Bob at the COFW 2006 Conference in October and find their online workshop just an extension of their entertaining banter in real life. Always fun and insightful, check back often for updated lessons:

CrusieMayer.com 2007 Online Writing Workshop

Happy fiction crafting,
Beth