Nov 7 Posted by WFYS

Ringing true: creating realistic characters

Know what? Fiction readers do not want role models. They want to read about themselves. They might find characters they like and hope to be, but they certainly don’t need a tidy moral at the end, an overbearing message, or a broad theme drilled into their heads over and over again. They need to identify with your characters — the protagonist, the villain, or even the quiet mother-in-law who... read more

Jan 4 Posted by WFYS

Naming your imaginary babies

So, you’ve got your plot. You’ve written a handful of story outlines, done some research on the setting you’re thinking of using, and told all of your friends and neighbors to back off, get lost, and leave you alone to write. Awesome. It’s a good start. But what happens when it’s time to put pen to paper and actually create the characters you’ve been... read more

Jan 2 Posted by WFYS

4 things not to do when editing your manuscript

I can’t overstate how important it is to edit your book before sending it off into the ether. Careful proofreading and double-checking your story’s consistency are key. Editing is the make-or-break difference between the writer who get an acceptance and the one who gets yet another form rejection. When it’s finally time to tackle the editing and rewriting phase, there are a few... read more

Jan 1 Posted by WFYS

The top 5 mistakes new writers make

Unpublished? No problem. That doesn’t mean that your work is any less grand than the most popular author in the country—only that you’re as yet undiscovered. Sometimes. It is also true, all at the same time, that there are a few things that will keep even the most exciting writer from being taken seriously. Below is a countdown of the most common reasons that some folks miss the boat. . 5. The... read more