There are many parts of writing fiction that allow for individual style, and creativity. However, the proper structure and the mechanics of writing need to be in place for that style and creativity to really resonate with the reader. Sure, you could argue that the proper structure and mechanics of writing aren’t set in stone, but most would agree that there are some general rules that make the writing...

I just got back from LTUE 2010 at BYU. What a great experience. There were some great panels, wonderful workshops, and sharp advice from local authors. One that stood out to me in particular was John Brown’s discussion on the story writing process. He called the workshop “How to Write a Story that Rocks!” Visit his site to download a handout he created. This thing is actually full of great...

 Your title here… Have you ever tried to come up with a title for one of your books and just felt lost? There are so many places your title can go. What should it focus on? A character? An event? While coming up with the title for your work can be a terrible task, its worth taking the time to do it properly. If you don’t you will lose interest, and eventually, readers. Here are a few components...

Proofreading Marks One of the better training sessions I have attended in the last few years revolved around how to take notes; the actual strategy, the “how” to take notes. This was very curious, but it got me thinking about writing. Once you get to the point where you need to go back and edit your writing, how do you approach it? I found a great resource on proofreaders marks. I have included it...

Download writing tools Today’s writing tips is about having the right writing tools. Have you had a hard time hitting your word count? Do you have writing goals, but don’t have a good way of tracking them? Below you will find a list of files that you can download to help you with your writing. These files are all writing tools that help you track your writing, or help you to organize your approach...

What is an Interjection? Interjection - Use it A word or phrase that is added (or “interjected”) into a sentence with the purpose of conveying emotion is called an. You might notice that sentences that contain an interjection tend to also contain an exlamation mark, though that isn’t always necessary. Interjections can be used in all types of writing, but you don’t tend to see it used...

Writing Tips: Could this be personification? Writers thoughtfully try to create “an experience” for their readers by engendering emotion through their written words. There are many literary techniques writers may employ to accomplish this, but today we will focus in on a figure of speech called personification. Personification attributes human characteristics to an abstract quality, an inanimate...

Writing tips are the best thing since sliced bread! What the heck is a hyperbole? Funny, that’s what it is; or rather, what it tries to be. You have probably heard it before without realizing what it is. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that has as its focus the exaggeration of our expressions. Why would you simply say “I’m hungry,” when you could say something like “I’m so...

English can be confusing when the words are so similar... Accept or Except? Today’s writing tip helps you avoid the infamous confusion between the words accept and except. In the United States, the real problem with these words is in how they are pronounced in day to day usage. Let’s start by defining the words. The verb Accept means “to approve”of something, or “to receive” ...

Your senses are the vehicles for experience So you want to write a novel. You think of all your favorite in factors your most beloved books: secret passages, magic powers, stormy weather,  plot twists, and even undiscovered worlds. Sure, these things might be interesting, but are these the fiction factors you really remember, or do you remember something else? You can have the best setting, the neatest idea...