Jerry B. Jenkins's Blog, page 2

A Writer’s Guide to Point of View

Budding writers often ask me:

“How do I master Point of View?”

The inability to grasp this concept is the most common problem I see in aspiring novelists.

Veteran editor Dave Lambert says, “No decision you make will impact the shape and texture of your story more than your choice of Point of View.”

So let’s straighten it out, shall we?

After you read this post, you’ll know the crucial POV rules and techniques professional writers use (and publishers look for)—and how to apply them to your story....

Personalizing Your Character’s Emotional Wound

Guest blog by: Becca Puglisi

Emotional wounds are tricky to write about.

Abuse, betrayal, victimization, and the death of a loved one may exist in our characters’ pasts and so must be explored.

But these are also real life events that cause damage to real people.

So as I talk today about personalizing wounds for our characters, please know that I’m aware of the pain they cause in our world, and I applaud the courageous individuals who fight to come to grips with them every day.

Why Wounding Even...

How to Write an Anecdote and Why Stories Bring Your Nonfiction to Life

You have a message to share with the world, but so far, people don’t seem interested.

Are you wasting your time?

You are if your nonfiction fails to engage an agent or publisher.

You may have forgotten the importance of storytelling — yes, even in nonfiction.

Adding stories to your nonfiction:

Hooks your reader from the get-goTransforms dull writingMakes your point quicker and more clearly than mere narrative summary

People are drawn to stories. I know I am.

Which would more engage you, an e...

3 Reasons Authors Shouldn’t Worry About Piracy but How to Protect Yourself Anyway

  Guest blog by Joanna Penn

New authors worry about piracy, especially in this age of digital publishing and online marketing.

Yes, piracy happens, but here’s why you shouldn’t let fear keep you from putting your words out into the world.

1. Serious readers prefer to buy books rather than download stolen copies

Most of the reading public are book lovers, law-abiding (usually) citizens, and want to compensate you for your creative work. Trust your readers.

A Personal Example

I noticed a customer h...

How to Outline a Novel in 6 Steps: Your Complete Guide

If you’re a Pantser (one who writes by the seat of your pants), you’re not interested in outlining a novel. Trust me, I’m a Pantser myself.

I’ve written nearly 200 books, two-thirds of those novels — and guess what?

I don’t outline.

Oh, I’m not saying I don’t have an idea where I’m going. I don’t just sit in front of a blank screen and hope a plot magically appears.

I have a main character in mind, as well as his or her challenge, problem, quest, or journey, and how I think things will play out....

What Is an Epilogue? Everything You Need to Know

Full disclosure: I’m not a huge fan of Epilogues. That’s not to say they’re all bad.

In fact, I’ve ended several of my novels with Epilogues.

Done right, they can be a powerful way to leave your reader satisfied.

But beware! Approach your Epilogue wrong and you can ruin the end of your story.

So, let’s talk about what they are, whether you need one, and, if so, how to write one.

What Is an Epilogue?
Need help writing your novel? Click here to download m...

Participating in NaNoWriMo 2024? A Word of Caution!

The wildly popular phenomenon, National Novel Writing Month, starts November 1 every year, and you’re urged to write an entire 50,000-word novel by the end of the month.

Wouldn’t it be great to actually finish a novel in 30 days?

That very idea has inspired millions of writers from all over the world to embark on this journey.

Since it began in 1999, when a handful of aspirants tried it, around a half million entrants take part each year now. Only between 10 and 15% actually finish, and NaNoWriM...

Surviving and Thriving As a Writer in the Age of AI

A Guest Blog by Jodie Hurst

 

The age of Artificial Intelligence is here, and you may be confused as to how you should feel about it. Should you feel happy that super-efficient tools can aid your writing? 

Or should it alarm you that AI can produce in seconds what it takes you hours or even days to write? Will AI make you dependent and affect the originality or integrity of your work? 

In this article, you’ll learn all about how to adapt to a shifting writer’s landscape, and how to use AI to you...

How to Build Tension and Suspense to Keep Readers Hooked

Your greatest challenge as a writer is to keep readers engaged.

Your job is to keep them with you page after page to find out what happens.

Inject tension into your work to enthrall readers.

What is Tension in Writing?

Tension is anything in your manuscript—fiction or nonfiction—that causes readers to anticipate. 

Anticipate what? Literally anything.

This tension doesn’t even have to be dramatic or eerie, though it certainly can be—and isn’t that fun? 

But tension can come in any form at all tha...

Bird by Bird: Anne Lamott’s Timeless Guide to Writing & Life

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is a love letter to the writing life by an author who understands the struggles and triumphs of we who dare to put words onto the page.

With her trademark wit and wisdom, Lamott offers practical advice on everything from character development to dealing with writer’s block. 

She reminds us why we write in the first place: to make sense of the world, to connect with others, and to find beauty in the chaos.

What Is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott?

It’s a collection of essay...