Writing humor isn’t as easy as it looks. If it were, everyone would be a comedian. For this reason, authors should use caution when labeling their work a romantic comedy. Here are a few editing tips for writing humor: Don’t overthink the punch line: Actually, when...
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher wants. Can you do it? In our new feature – Make-A-Story™, we ask you to create a story with these elements. The story can be set in any time frame, any length,...
Voice: what is it that distinguishes an author in the vast world of publishing? Many forums are built on this question. Experts offer their opinion, but the truth is, voice is as elusive a question as why one reader loves a well-written story but another finds it...
So many elements go into making a manuscript strong. One of the top ones for me as a writer, reader, and editor is prose. Sure, prose is word flow and rhythm. It’s cadence, absolutely. It’s part of your voice. But here’s one exercise you can do the next time you’re...
Although the art of fiction lies within the author’s ability to create a world for the reader to visit and leave her troubles behind, this does not give the author license to forego authenticity within the details of the manuscript. When self-editing, an author should...
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher wants. Can you do it? In our new feature – Make-A-Story™, we ask you to create a story with these elements. The story can be set in any time frame, any length,...
Recently, I asked fellow writers what advice they’d been given from other sources concerning opening scenes and what not to do. I’d like to share what they told me and offer my opinions on those “rules.” The very first rule mentioned was to never start a novel with...
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher wants. Can you do it? In our new feature – Make-A-Story™, we ask you to create a story with these elements. The story can be set in any time frame, any length,...
Writing a series of novels does not give an author the right to leave the reader dangling mid-plot at the end of any of the books in that series. Whether a compilation of three or ten books is planned, every book should be written to stand alone. An author should...
Writing to spec – you’ve heard the term. It means writing what the publisher wants. Can you do it? In our new feature – Make-A-Story™, we ask you to create a story with these elements. The story can be set in any time frame, any length,...
Pelican Book Group Official Blog
