What’s a scene? What’s a chapter? How do we use them to keep the reader hooked? There’s no time like the beginning. if you don’t get your reader hooked from the very start, you’re not going anywhere. Great tips from Roz Morris and the Nail Your Novel blog. thanks, Roz. Roz Morris Author, editor, book doctor,…
Ten Tips to Improve Writing and Blogging 1. Use a Punchy Opening Line Grab their attention early on by provoking an emotional response with a punchy opening sentence. Short, clear sentences will grab your readers’ attention. Use adjectives sparingly. Opening lines don’t have to be loud, subtlety is just as effective. Examples: A word of caution.…
Psychologist And Author Dr. Dale Atkins Discusses Grandparents, Nature, Children’s Wellbeing Why Children Need Nature, Stories & Grandparents More Than Ever “Discovering Dr Dale Atkins’ books was like reclaiming a piece of my childhood. Her thoughtfully crafted books, focused on connecting children with their roots, ancestors, grandparents and, above all, Nature, are a delightful addition to any child’s…
Ask an Editor: Author Visits—What are They Like? (Part One) “Ask an Editor” is a forum wherein SCBWI members submit questions that are answered quarterly as part of our Kite Tales blog. Hi Christine—I’m considering contacting local school to earn money doing author visits. What are they generally like? —Brianna, Los Angeles Thanks, Brianna Think…
10 Practical Tips for Authors: Building a Writing Life That Lasts Writing a book is a remarkable achievement. Building a writing life that lasts? That’s something different entirely. Over the years, I’ve learned that success as an author isn’t about a single breakthrough moment. It’s about consistency, growth, and a willingness to keep showing up—on…
8 Rules for Writing Fiction by Kurt Vonnegut To begin with, Keep it simple. Remember that two great masters of language, William Shakespeare and James Joyce, wrote sentences which were almost childlike when their subjects were most profound. “To be or not to be?” asks Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The longest word is three letters long. Joyce,…