The beginning of your book, as much as the back cover or inside flap, is marketing copy. Your reader will give you wide latitude when it comes to your opening content, but if they’re going to stick around, they expect something enticing on the first page—a promise of things to come. Whether your first paragraphs strap your reader to a…
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Every writer was a beginner once, but the smart ones don’t stay there long. And by “smart” I simply mean the writers who are willing to immediately start putting together their personal writing tool kit and knowledge base. It’s easy, and therefore common, for writers to languish in the beginner stage. If you want to make progress and achieve some…
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In the first fiction workshop I ever took, our instructor said to us, “Do you know what the difference between a really good fiction writer and you is? They write better sentences.” I knew even then that there was more of a difference between those writers and us, but his words have always stuck with me, and ever since I’ve…
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Years ago I was listening to a well-respected editor speak at an Association of Writers & Writing Programs panel about the type of pieces he’s drawn to and turned off by in his submission pile. He expressed his dislike for work that sounds like it was written in response to a writing prompt. Being the good student that I am,…
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I update my gift-giving list year-round and keep it on my phone so that when I get an idea for a special person, I can buy the thing or save a note. I’ve gathered some ideas for you if you’ve got a writer on your list. But who are we kidding? This is a treat yo self list if there…
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