Tag Archives: kathryn craft

About This Writing Stuff…

It’s been over a year since I shared a curated collection of articles on writing and publishing.  When I started this blog, About This Writing Stuff was a monthly feature, then quarterly, then whenever I could get to it as life became increasingly hectic. I can’t promise that these will be posted on a regular schedule again, but I’ll do my best.

From the folks at Career Writers, we get tips on writing backstory without info dumping, using an unreliable narrator, and crafting a memoir from traumatic memories.

Kristen Lamb explains why your characters deserve to make choices and deal with the consequences. She also analyzes how AI can be used—and misused—in our field.

From Mythcreant Chris Winkle, we get six easy lessons on how to keep your characters in danger and an overview of six different styles of prose.

All that and much more. Enjoy!

The Art of Deceit: Crafting a Novel With an Unreliable Narrator by Dana Isaacson

Excavating Buried Memories for Memoir by Mimi Nichter

3 Ways to Write Effective Backstory by Jessica Strawser

New Writers, Are You Making These 4 Mistakes? by Anne R. Allen

How Not to Write Your Novel by James Scott Bell

Bookshop.org Partners with Draft2Digital by Debbie Burke

Why Choice—Not Talent—Drives Great Stories by Kristen Lamb

If AI Loves Your Writing, Be Very VERY Worried by Kristen Lamb

Which of These Six Prose Styles Are You Writing? by Chris Winkle

Six Ways to Keep Characters in the Danger Zone by Chris Winkle

What Publishing Contracts Won’t Tell You (Especially Small Press Contracts) by Matt Knight

How to Make Use of Incidental Characters by Kathryn Craft

So Random by Donald Maass

 

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, Emily Inkpen explains why context is as important as motive and conflict and why the consequences of trauma must be addressed in character-driven narratives.

Crystal King serves up a lesson on the importance of food and drink in world building, Ellen Buikema shows us how to develop well-rounded characters by including their hobbies and interests, and Kathryn Craft reminds us that even bad novels have something to teach us.

Looking for a writing prompt? Sarah Gribble encourages us to try pictures (personal note: I’ve done this twice and one of the stories was nominated for a Pushcart Prize) while Kelley J. P. Lindberg coaches us through writing those torturous loglines.

All that and a lot more writerly knowledge. Enjoy!

Why Context is Key in Character-Driven Narratives by Emily Inkpen

Why Trauma MUST be Recognised in Character-Driven Narratives by Emily Inkpen

Food and Drink as Essential Elements in Fiction by Crystal King

4 Questions to Strengthen Lean Manuscripts by Lisa Fellinger via Jane Friedman

5 Reasons to Use Pictures as Writing Prompts by Sarah Gribble

6 Ways Reading Bad Novels Can Make Good Writers by Kathryn Craft

7 Important Things I Wish Every Writer Knew by Rachel Toalson

Words of Wisdom on Writer’s Block by Dale Ivan Smith

How Characters’ Hobbies and Interests Affect the Narrative by Ellen Buikema

Pacing in Writing: 10 Ways to Master Pace and Keep Your Readers Riveted by Joslyn Chase

Loglines—One-Sentence Torture Devices for Writers by Kelley J.P. Lindberg

Draft2Digital 2024 AI Training Survey Results by Kris Austin

 

 

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, we begin with author marketing and branding with Good Story Company’s Michal Leah. From there, Anne R. Allen weighs in on the value of blogging vs Substack (and newsletters in general).

These days, of course, we can’t avoid the digital elephant in the room known as AI, especially as related to copyright infringement. Check out the latest on that from The Authors Guild and Sidebar Saturdays.

We conclude our lineup with a variety of fantastic articles covering such topics as crafting effective dialogue and unforgettable opening scenes to exploring your character’s taboos and writing compelling inner conflict. Enjoy!

DIY Author Marketing 101 by Michal Leah

Substack Newsletters vs. Blogging: Should Authors Quit Blogging and Join Substack by Anne R. Allen

No One Buys Books by Ellie Griffin

Authors Guild Supports Groundbreaking Bill to Create AI Transparency Between Creators and Companies 

Big Tech’s Disregard for Authors: AG Responds to Tech Companies Harvesting Books 

Artificial Intelligence Generated Work – Copyright Protection and Infringement by Matt Knight

Why Should I Bother with an Outline? by Kristen Overman

Dig Into Your Character’s Taboos by Kathryn Craft

Labeling Your Dialogue by Chris Winkle

Shaping the Sound of Your Dialogue by Chris Winkle

Pacing Your Dialogue by Chris Winkle

Avoid, Persevere, Endure, Fight: 4 Goals for Unforgettable Opening Scenes by Ayesha Ali via Jane Friedman

Upmarket Fiction: Everything You Need to Know by Louise Tondeur

Why Trains Make the Perfect Thriller and Mystery Setting by Debbie Babbit

How to Write Compelling Inner Conflict by Angela Ackerman via Jane Friedman

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, book consultant and developmental editor Mary Kole encourages writers to diversify their skills in the age of AI. Now that self-publishing is no longer a “new thing,” Anne R. Allen advises indie writers on how to keep expectations grounded.

Kristen Lamb reviews the Johari Window and how it can be used as a tool for character and story development. Over at the Write Practice, Joe Bunting gives us a detailed lesson on first and third person points of view.

Fantasy writer Philip Athans defends the adverb—with some caveats—and, along with PJ Parrish, provides guidance on the skillful use of description in narrative.

All that and much more. Enjoy!

The Irrelevance of the Modern Writer by Mary Kole & Good Story Company

The Über Skill for Writers by Tiffany Yates Martin

How to Write the Beginning of a Novel by Rhiannon Richardson

How to Tighten Your Midpoint Twist by Ley Taylor Johnson

Is an Unpublishable Book Worth Writing? by Lory Widmer Hess

Is Self-Publishing a Good Choice for Authors in 2024? by Anne R. Allen

Adverbs Are Fine! by Philip Athans

Describe Characters as You Go Along by Philip Athans

How Much Description Does Your Book Need? by PJ Parrish

The Johari Window & Character Blind Spots by Kristen Lamb

How to Get Your Plot Arcs Working Together by Chris Winkle

Ninety-Nine Words to Seek and Destroy by Chris Winkle

Fresh Perspective Sells by Kathryn Craft

Types of Point of View: The Ultimate Guide to First Person & Third Person POV by Joe Bunting

 

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, Philip Athans explores the concept of originality in fiction while Chris Winkle shows us how we can effectively suspend disbelief in our readers.

Kristen Lamb explains the benefits of book reviews to an author’s career (seriously, I could always use more!) while Garry Rogers illustrates how the Feynman Learning Technique can help us with plotting.

At Writer Unboxed, the inimitable Kathryn Craft delves into vulnerability while Desmond Hall discusses suspense at the story and sentence level.

All that and much more. Enjoy!

How to Write a Ghost Story by Amy Holland

Desmond Drops: Suspense from the Beginning, Suspense in the Middle, and Suspense at the Sentence Level by Desmond Hall

How to Plan a Successful Book Launch in 10 Steps by Geri Mileva

The Importance of Tone in Writing by Anne R. Allen

On “On Originality” by Haruki Murakami by Philip Athans

7 Ways to Access Vulnerability by Kathryn Craft

“Can’t Put the Book Down” by Dale Ivan Smith

Plot Your Story Using the Feynman Learning Technique by Garry Rodgers

Book Reviews: Why They Matter So Much by Kristen Lamb

Audiences Don’t Suspend Disbelief – We Do it for Them by Chris Winkle

Print-on-Demand Publishing? KDF vs IngramSpark: One Author’s Experience by Paul Benjamin

NEA Finds Worrying Drop in Reading Participation by Jim Milliot

How Has Big Publishing Changed American Fiction? by Kevin Lozano

About This Writing Stuff…

This month, writer pal Kathryn Craft shows us how to use weddings and funerals in our stories to explore characters and heighten emotions. Over at Mythcreants, Oren Ashkenazi examines the ever-popular literary device known as unreliable narrator.

Kristen Overman offers advice on self-editing and developing strong characters while Meredith Lyons talks about keepin’ it real in paranormal fiction. Do you feel pressured to sacrifice your social time for your writing? John Gilstrap reminds us not to feel guilty for living our lives.

Kelsey McConnell discusses the need for trigger warnings in horror novels. This is a timely topic given that I just released the second edition of Testing the Prisoner, my first paranormal mystery novel from 2009 that deals with child abuse and domestic violence.

All that and a lot more. Enjoy!

Writing Believable Characters by Michal Leah

There’s Always a Choice: Revision Techniques to Make Your Writing Stronger by Kristen Overman

How Subplots and Plot Filaments Lend Texture and Depth to Any Novel by Michael Craft

Why Is Strong Character Development Important? by Kristen Overman

Marry ’em and Bury ’em: Weddings, Funerals, and Your Novel by Kathryn Craft

Is There a Place For Trigger Warnings in Horror Books? by Kelsey Christine McConnell

How to Write a Realistic Paranormal by Meredith R. Lyons

How to Point Readers’ Attention in the Right Direction by Jami Gold

How to Increase Your Productivity When You Don’t Feel Productive by James Scott Bell

Writer’s Guilt by John Gilstrap

Unreliable Narration: A Useful Tool or Just Hype? by Oren Ashkenazi

Atmosphere Literary Definition: Genre Examples that Evoke Emotion by Joslyn Chase


If you’re a LibraryThing member, I’m running a giveaway for Testing the Prisoner! Six winners will receive a signed copy. Check it out here. Ends October 25th.

Testing the Prisoner is available now in ebook ($2.99) and paperback ($18.99)!

Testing the Prisoner print promo