story hook

Basics of writing

A guide to writing short stories and fighting dragons

by Brandon M Johnson From Rick: This week’s delightful and advice-filled blog post was originally submitted as an article on writing to Silver Blade magazine. Unfortunately, that magazine recently changed its editorial polices and no longer accepts such articles. However,

Read More
Openings

Flashbacks–Think twice before you dwell on the past

From Rick: Among the several sins that many new writers commit, premature flashbacks is often one of them. Two other big sins are launching into backstory too soon after the opening (or in the opening), and the use of a

Read More
Novel writing

Novel writing for beginners–Part 2

From Rick: Last time, I ended with the importance of characters. They are the backbone of fiction. Stories don’t exist in a vacuum. They must happen to someone, and that someone must care about the outcome. If nobody cares that

Read More
OpeningsSelf-Publishing

Story Openings–Part 4: Case Studies

From Scott: We’ve had a few blog entries (including our excellent guest blogger, Robert Vardeman) about what a strong opening needs to have to capture the reader’s attention. Character. Setting. Conflict. Hook. Put all four of them in the opening

Read More
Openings

Story Openings–Part 3: Voice

From Rick: The last installment left off with the opening from Charles Dickens’ “Bleak House.” This is arguably one of the best openings in literature because it includes all of the elements of a great opening: character, setting, conflict, and

Read More