Telling the reader a character is attracted to someone is simple. And rather flat and boring. But showing several small attraction signs can give the story a strong punch that will glue the readers to the pages and make them relive their own troubles and beautiful moments.
Continue reading “Writing Body Language: Attraction”Tag: writing
A Pen Name? Why Bother?
Some authors naturally use their real names. Some choose a pen name. There is a number of reasons for that. Are there advantages?
Continue reading “A Pen Name? Why Bother?”Writer’s New Year’s Resolutions
It is here. Year 2021. 2020 was a very unexpected challenge for the whole world. The COVID 19 crisis swept us and the bad news just keep coming. But we all must hope and see this new beginning as an opportunity to move forward. We, writers, have one advantage. We can write almost everywhere. Here are some ideas to make this year count. Make new steps in your writing career.
Continue reading “Writer’s New Year’s Resolutions”10 Alternatives for “Like”
“Like” is a short and legit word. Nothing wrong with using it in your writing. But you can also choose more fitting expressions according to their specific meaning.
| “You always favor your youngest!” He hit the desk with his fist. | Favor | To support or prefer something. |
| “I will always treasure these memories.” He put his hand on his heart. | Treasure | To regard or treat as precious. |
| The press idolized the president. | Idolize | To regard with blind adoration or devotion. |
| “I appreciate her helpful and kind feedback.” | Appreciate | To value or regard, to be grateful or thankful for something. |
| “I adore her intellect,” he said with a dreamy expression. “And I adore her long hair,” his little sister added. | Adore | To regard with the utmost esteem, love, respect, and honor. To pay divine honor to something or someone. To like or admire very much. |
| Sophia enjoyed her icecream on the hot summer day. | Enjoy | To find joy or satisfaction. |
| She fancied a hot cup of coffee in the cold and bleak morning. | Fancy | To feel a desire or liking for. |
| I cherish memories of my old home and cousins. | Cherish | To care for tenderly or nurture. To cling fondly to something. |
| He admired his grandfather’s courage during the war. | Admire | To regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval. |
| “Of course I care for her and call her every evening! She is my ill sister.” | Care for | To feel concern or interest. To attach importance to something. |
See more vocabulary alternatives useful for writers! Poetic, amiable, angry, cute, and joyful said versions.
The Problems with Publishing
A must-read!
Author Kristine Kathryn Rusch recently shared a must-read post about today’s state of publishing, aptly titled Trainwreck, Fall Edition.
As she explains, she tried in June to order a copy of a book she liked for her sister. However, she wouldn’t get the book until September. Understandably, her reaction was: How odd. The book had released in February, so she should have been able to get her hands on a copy quickly. But she couldn’t.
Then she remembered that the same thing had happened with a couple of other books she had ordered for her sister back in May. They were backlist for an author her sister hadn’t tried and it took six weeks for her to get the books, with the shipment getting delayed more than once.
Putting two and two together, Kristine realized the ugly truth: traditional publishing is headed for a trainwreck.
The trainwreck
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Schedule for Busy Writers
A very few writers have the opportunity to regularly write all day in pajamas. We all have our lives and things keeping us from writing our books. But how to work on your writing while you cannot take few a week-long breaks?
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Saving for an Editor
Presenting your book to an agent, publisher, or even self-publishing it without at least a basic edit is a bad idea. The typos, questionable punctuation, and possible gawky sentence structure will hit the readers in their faces. They will not be impressed. You may find these ideas to avoid it useful.
Continue reading “Saving for an Editor”Show vs. Tell: 10 Practical examples: Exasperation
Clarence and Sophia were so angry/irritated/annoyed… Well, there are also other, more elegant, options to make your readers feel what you write.
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Shortening your Manuscript
No author avoids at least one of these important steps. Just like with a painting, or cake frosting, a manuscript needs final cuts and touches to make it all smooth, vibrant, and lush.
Perhaps you need to shorten your manuscript extensively. Clench your teeth, wipe your tears… And do it. You can start with easy and convenient tips like these.
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Your Success Stories: R. Benjamin Wesley
About:
After a thirty-year career in academic medicine, teaching, research, and private practice, Dr. Wesley retired from cardiology to pursue his lifetime passion of storytelling. He completed the writing and illustrating of his graphic novel, “Portal of the Ancients: Book One of the Ancients Saga,” the first in a planned series of ten books, to bring his true vision to print. To facilitate this project, he formed Hearts Quest Studio with his wife, Margaret, an MBA with decades of marketing, training, administration, and business development experience. His subsequent novels in the Ancients Saga will further develop the characters and themes introduced in his first book.
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Your Book Whisperer 