There was a discussion about dialogue on the Blueboards recently: how much to use and how much is too much. Someone chimed in with this bit of advice from Rick Riordan: “Define a character through action, first. Through dialogue and description, second. Through explanation, never. The character should be primarily defined by the choices he [...]
I had another writing date with my friend Alisa yesterday. We’re both deep in the trenches of revision so we spent a lot of time eating cookies and whining (oh, and writing). Our biggest complaint? If you change something in one scene, that means you have to go through a hundred other scenes and change [...]
Remember those rabbit battle cries last week? Well, they seem to be helping. I’ve been making some progress with my revision, cutting and rearranging and adding. And as a reward, I’ve been allowing myself some time with the new draft (since shiny, new things are always more fun). I’m still struggling with the outline, but [...]
I ask fantasy fans if they read for the world or for the characters on the Enchanted Inkpot.
So did you watch “Lost” last night? I’m still processing it, but it did make me want to talk about endings. While I was watching the incredibly long finale, I thought back to what Marla Frazee said at the SCBWI conference: “Endings should disarm us. They should be satisfying and mysterious at the same time.” [...]
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting R.L. LaFevers and hearing her speak about her books. For those of you who don’t know, Robin is the author of the Theodosia Throckmorton series and the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series, both of which are filled with fantasy and adventure. She is also a fellow Inkie and agency-mate, [...]
Now that the semester is over, I’ve run out of excuses for why I’m not getting much writing done. I keep telling myself I’m just taking a teeny-tiny break. Well, break time is over my friends. It’s time to go into attack mode! There are two projects I’ll be tackling: 1. A revision of the [...]
On Saturday I headed up to Fitchburg, Mass. for the New England SCBWI conference. I only stayed for the day, but I left there mentally energized and inspired. The keynote speakers were Cynthia Leitich Smith, Marla Frazee, and Marla’s editor Allyn Johnston. Their speeches were all filled with brilliance. Here are some highlights: Cynthia Leitich [...]
I’ve been having great luck with books recently (Before I Fall, Incarceron, Mistwood) but for a while I was in a serious reading dry spell. I’d pick up book after book and not get more than a few chapters in. After reflecting on all those books I couldn’t get through, I’ve come up with a [...]
I’m buried in grading final papers right now, so this is going to be a quick post. I did have a few things I wanted to share with you all. 1. I’m going to NESCBWI this weekend! I was on the waiting list, but I got an email yesterday telling me that I’m in. If [...]
