Process Post: Reader Check-Ins

I’m second-guessing myself: should I include more information on how to write reader check-ins or not?  At first you have to think about writing reader check-ins. It doesn’t necessarily come naturally.  You: “I just want to tell the story!” Reader (eventually): “It’s a great story but it’s not for me…” You: [Sobbing] It seems like …

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Writing Craft Vol. 3: Reader Check-Ins

(Sorry, I really thought I was going to get to prologues. I did not.  Not even close.) Every time the author stops the current forward momentum of the plot to explain something, describe the setting, give context, or give backstory, we’re going to call that a “reader check-in.” It’s like the author is saying, “In …

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Writing Craft Vol. 3: How Real is the Story & Story Openings

We are back to Writing Craft Volume 3! Apologies – work went nuts after my boss got fired, and then *I* got laid off! Aieee! But the real reason is that I struggle to be confident about my writing techniques. As one does.  Welcome to new folks! Let me know if you need anything or …

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Process Post: The Basics of How to Write Setting

Aaaaand I had today’s post all ready to go, then went, “I didn’t actually explain what setting was.”  The next thought was, “So I’ll write a short intro to explain what setting is, no worries! I’ll just add it to the post!” No.  Every time I run into what I think is a simple omission …

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Writing Craft Vol. 3: The Basics of How to Write Setting

In this volume of Writing Craft, we’ve covered a lot of ground on the theories behind writing details: what details actually are, types of details, how details may affect readers’ brains, how to summarize or call back or forward to details, and so on. All this talk about details may have seemed like we had …

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