You have a great story with wonderful characters who overcame grievous wounds—abused childhoods, broken marriages, or alcoholic parents. How do you handle the task of explaining these life-defining experiences? In prologue, dialogue, monologue, exposition, flashback?
Lots of writers know how their book starts and how it ends. It’s writing the middle that’s so tricky. Some writers have no clue what happens. Some writers have so many ideas, they can’t cram them all in. Indecision can be paralyzing.
by Beth Barany · Published September 27, 2014 · Last modified September 26, 2014
Enjoy this short video on my take of what is genre fiction? Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Why not? More about this program: http://30daywritingchallengefornovelists.bethbarany.com/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbarany Creativity Coaching for Writers: http://bethbarany.com/
Years ago, while searching for my niche as a writer, I stumbled across a how to book on marketing for writers which included an index of activities. These exercises were designed to help novices, aspiring practitioners, and those struggling with self-confidence issues get organized. I plunged into the myriad of possibilities and came up with my ten tips for chroniclers.
Commitment: When You Commit Things Happen Because You Make Them Happen by Beth Barany, author of the series about Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, a young adult epic fantasy, book 3 coming in 2015. More...
I began writing short stories to ease my sense of isolation and help me make it through each day. I recall experiencing a profound sense of exhilaration. You could say I was falling in love.
Actions often speak louder than words, especially when we are teaching about certain behaviors.
I’m all for being focused on your writing, being disciplined, having a plan. And of course having goals. But sometimes you need to take a break. I don’t know about you, but I find...
Part of craft is choosing from which perspective, or point of view, you tell your story. Your choices are first, second, or third person (limited or omniscient). Each has its strengths and drawbacks. Well, okay, second person has no strengths, only drawbacks, unless you’re writing how-to manuals. In that case, carry on. Fiction people, you have choices to make.
“Getting Started with my Novel is So Hard” As an author’s coach, I hear this all the time. I know how you feel. I’ll tell you a little secret. The secret to getting started...
The life-long journey of thinking, discovering, imagining, creating, evolving, and challenging yourself as a person and a writer, colors and enriches our experiences, and also our writing
As I grew older I learned to control my visibility – I was visible and outspoken at school, when I knew it would be most valued. But I was never visible when it really mattered – in relationships or in my writing. Being invisible kept me safe. Being invisible kept me safe from criticism and rejection.
Alex B. for his college Composition 1 class asked me these questions on how to become an author. Thanks Alex! Hope you get a good grade on your paper! 1. How can you become...
We make them like us. We give them personalities with strengths and flaws. Sometimes we need to give them, “fatal” flaws. Having these fatal flaws cause conflict.
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