Tuesday, July 19, 2011

A Dozen Simple Tips for Writing Strong Novels


Writing Novels

1.   Make a plot outline.
2.   Kick off your novel with a bang to hook your readers right away. (First page)
3.   Stay focused to move your story forward.
4.   Keep flashbacks to a minimum.
5.   Quickly accelerate story to a level of action
6.   Don’t underestimate your reader. No need to explain everything. Let your story tell itself. Show, Don’t tell. 
7.   Let your characters speak through believable dialogue.
8.  Include sounds, smells, visual details, and things only your main character can see.
9.   Create characters the reader cares about. The reader needs to identify with your main character. 
10. The main character needs to develop over the course of the book.  Don’t forget your villains need to be interesting, too!
11.   Keep the intensity rising. Then sustain a high pitch, before leveling off.  Gradually come down at the climax. 
12.   Endings should be emotionally satisfying.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Eastern PA SCBWI Festival of Books

CORRECTION! CHANGE OF VENUE!!!


The Book Festival will take place on the same day, at the same time, but will be held at:


Doylestown Bookshop
16 S Main St.
Doylestown, PA 18901



See you there!




The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society of Children’s 
Book Writers &  Illustrators
       presents

      A Festival of Children’s Books

       on Thursday, July 28, 2011
      2:30 – 5:30 PM

In the Pearl S. Buck room at the Doylestown Branch of the Bucks County Library

Please come and meet our region’s most wonderful author’s and illustrators.

I'll be there. So will ROCK STAR SANTA. Looking forward to seeing you.