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Author Archives: the90daynovel
Story is a Pact
One of the challenges of good storytelling is knowing when to reveal information. It is through trial and error that we discover what works best. Removing or reordering a scene can greatly alter the story’s meaning. For example, by withholding … Continue reading
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Show and Tell
Here’s a short clip from my upcoming book, The 90-Day Rewrite. It will be available in April. SHOW, DON’T TELL We’ve all read the writing books that insist we “show, and don’t tell.” This phrase can be misinterpreted as an … Continue reading
PROXIMITY
Do our characters have to be two thousand miles apart, or three miles apart? If we’re trying to convey a sense of distance, remember that distance is relative. Let’s say that our protagonist lives in Los Angeles while her mother … Continue reading
NAMES
As much as possible, remove characters’ names from dialogue. How often do we use someone’s name in real life? Rarely. Perhaps we use their name when we greet them, and again when we say goodbye, but even then it is … Continue reading
First-Time Novelist: Self-publishing
A year ago I self-published The 90-Day Novel. I considered having my agent shop it, and even toiled on a book proposal, but the more I read about “what publishers are looking for” the more I sensed that my book didn’t … Continue reading
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First-time novelist: Happy Holidays
For all you first-time novelists, writing through the holidays is an exercise in boundaries and diplomacy. Yesterday morning, my sweet wife knocked on my office door to ask, “Is today a work day for you?” The subtext was clear. You’re … Continue reading
First-Time Novelist: The old model is dead
For years you would hear aspiring writers ask “What is the market looking for?” But no more. Because you are the market. Tell the story that you want to tell and put it out into the world. The rules have … Continue reading
First-Time Novelist: Dilemma
At the heart of every story lies a dilemma for our protagonist. It’s not a question of whether or not your protagonist has a dilemma, but rather how effectively you have explored it. By exploring your protagonist’s dilemma, you will … Continue reading
First-Time Novelist: Proximity
Do your characters have to live a thousand miles apart, or three blocks apart? If you’re trying to convey a sense of distance, be aware that it is subjective. For example, let’s say that your protagonist lives in Los Angeles … Continue reading
First-time novelist: some things to consider
There are no rules to writing a novel, but here are some things to consider. 1) Your story is about something more than the plot. Don’t confuse your plot with the theme. Always remain curious as to what your story … Continue reading