A. NATION - Newsletter/Blog
  • Homepage
  • Books
  • Thoughts
  • Characters
  • Prompts
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • WritingTips
  • Newsletter Signup

Two more chapters done for 'Crossroads'

3/22/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have managed to get two more chapters done on my third book, Crossroads. It is starting to take shape. This will be a family mystery story. 
I have brought my characters from Mars down to Earth for some R&R. Old friends and family from my previous two books meet, a Grand Opening surprises Alice's cousin, Frederick meets Bernard the dachshund, but things keep turning up missing. The local antique shop becomes a busy place with thefts occurring during the night. What more could happen? Alice decides to throw a party to weed out the thief.
I may have to change my cover plans but I am keeping the title.



0 Comments

Writing Clear Prose - TFOB

3/19/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
This was the first free class I attended at the Festival of Books in Tucson, Az.
This author, Catherine Coulter, was funny and to the point. She talked about being uncluttered in your writing, such as using more nouns and verbs, avoid the -ly adverbs (there are better ways to say them), swear words and gratuitous sex scenes can be eliminated if they don't have a purpose. Express the feelings of the characters to give them a third dimension to the reader.
Detailed gore isn't needed in a murder story unless you are writing classical horror.
Do more 'telling' and less showing. Dialog helps move the story along. Too much narrative can become boring and lose your reader. Keep away from cliches and oddly spoken descriptions.
Don't make your characters perfect. They will come off looking like cartoons.
Keep in mind if you wouldn't say something aloud, then don't write it.
Cut the adverbs, especially the -ly words. and adjectives that aren't real, such as "his steel-tight muscles."
Using 'said' doesn't carry emotion or judgement. Don't use 'wailed, raged, giggled, etc," these are not synonyms for SAID.
She recommended the book "Strunk & White's Elements of Style." - I love reading her stories, they are fast paced without too much repetition. The quoted parts are from her handout, the rest I have paraphrased my notes from the class - A Nation.


0 Comments

Me at the Festival of Books in Tucson, Az.

3/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here I was yesterday at the Author's Pavilion Central. I didn't sell anything but I did hand out a lot of cards to those interested.
Today I will be going to the free classes, hope I see you there. 

0 Comments

    Author

    A NATION


    Read my latest Post

    Semi-retired & still working.
    Loves to travel, & read mysteries
    Loves to write
    Loves Chocolate
    Loves jigidi.com jigsaw puzzles online


    Archives

    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.