Category: Writing Advice
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Why Your Hero Feels Optional
One of the most common problems I see in action/adventure stories is a protagonist who could be swapped out with almost anybody else without fundamentally changing the plot. The stakes may be high and the story may be exciting, but readers still feel oddly detached from the hero. Usually, the problem comes down to two…
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“Read a Lot, Write a Lot” Is Good Advice — Just Incomplete
Stephen King says writers need to “read a lot and write a lot.” I agree—but I also think that advice is incomplete. In this article, I break down why passive reading and mindless word count goals won’t automatically make you a better writer, what intentional study actually looks like, and how craft books, critical reading,…
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Can My Character Ever Just Win the Scene?
A client asked me this last night: “Can my character ever just win the scene?” It’s a simple question—but the answer explains why some stories feel flat and others are impossible to put down.
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What is Romantasy?
The wild success of Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing has birthed a new category on the Goodreads Choice Awards: Romantasy. But many are asking, what is romantasy? While the word itself can give us some clue—it is obviously a blend of romance and fantasy—that isn’t really enough information to identify the genre. Google says: Romantasy is…
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Military Matters #4: We Don’t Need No Stinking Badges
What badges has my character earned? Where do they go on his uniform? Can he have too many badges? The uniform is only so big, so there is a maximum amount of badges that can actually fit. Also, most of the badges require attendance to a course, some of which can last months, so the…
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Filtering Feedback #3: Green Lighting Red Flags
Learn how to filter the feedback that your characters were “toxic”.
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Military Matters #3: The Right Uniform
Choosing the correct uniform for your character depends on the setting of the scene.
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Filtering Feedback #2: The Mary Sue
Learn how to filter the feedback that your protagonist was “too perfect”.
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Military Matters #1: Armed with Words
Are your military characters using the right equipment? Do they speak like soldiers? Does your character’s background support the story goals? These are just a few of the questions authors ask themselves when they are writing stories that involve characters with military backgrounds. And this is exactly why you need a Military Technical Advisor to…
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Filtering Feedback #1: Fight the Formula?
Learn to filter the feedback that your romance novel’s plot was “too formulaic”.