Jerry B. Jenkins's Blog, page 4

Write What You Know: Understanding this Classic Writing Advice

“Write what you know” is one of the first pieces of advice many aspiring fiction writers hear when they embark on their journey to become an author. (And if you’re a nonfiction writer, stay with me.)

On the one hand, the idea of writing what you know makes perfect sense. If you’ve ever read a book on a subject with which you’re wholly familiar, you knew immediately when the author moved outside their area of expertise. 

On the other hand, writing what you know seems a rule often ignored. Who amo...

273 Strong Verbs That’ll Spice Up Your Writing

Do you ever wonder why a grammatically correct sentence you’ve written just lies there like a dead fish?

I sure have.

Your sentence might even be full of those adjectives and adverbs your teachers and loved ones so admired in your writing when you were a kid.

But still the sentence doesn’t work.

Something simple I learned from The Elements of Style years ago changed the way I write and added verve to my prose. The authors of that little bible of style said: “Write with nouns and verbs, not with ...

Crafting Realistic Characters: A Deep-Dive into Character Flaws

Timeless, beloved fictional characters have flaws that make them accessible and believable. Even superheroes.

And while a lead character’s flaw or weakness might be major, it doesn’t have to be. It could be a simple lack of patience or an annoying sense of self-importance. Indiana Jones had a major aversion to snakes. In short, you want flaws with which readers can identify.

Such blind spots and weaknesses can do more than just round out characters and make them more realistic. They can also cre...

Writing Motivation: How to Win the Marathon of the Middle of Your Novel

You’ve written your first few chapters, and you even have your killer ending planned.

Then you hit the middle of your book manuscript, and all of a sudden it’s as if you’re running in sand.

Most who fail at finishing their books tell me they lost their writing motivation somewhere in what I like to call the “Marathon of the Middle.”

If your opener takes up approximately the first quarter of your manuscript and your ending the last quarter, the marathon comprises the middle half.

Yes, it’s hard. ...

Popular Book Genres Explained

Guest blog by Vanessa Tym

Mary Shelley didn’t intend to invent a new book genre when she wrote Frankenstein in 1822 but now, over 200 years later, every library and bookstore has a science fiction section.

Since the inception of categorizing literature, dating back to ancient Greece, we’ve been updating, expanding, and rethinking what genre means.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at the most popular book genres.

What is a Genre of a Book and How Many are There? 

A genre is a category characterize...

Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes

The most common writing mistakes are often the easiest to overlook.

If you’ve never formally studied English composition or literature, or if it flew over your head (as much of it did for me), you could be unaware of many writing rules and conventions.

The occasional typo can be easily fixed by your editor or even caught by the fresh pair of eyes of a friend.

But there’s a difference between minor errors that slip through the cracks and a misunderstanding of fundamentals.

A strong grasp of the l...

How to Build Your Author Platform

Guest blog by David Loy

 

“You need to grow an audience.”

 

“You need to build an email list.”

 

“You need to get more followers.”

 

These sound like different messages, but they all point to the same foundation:

You need to build an author platform.

Like most aspiring writers, you might wonder:

But do I really need to build a platform? 

Maybe not.

If you’re okay with no one ever reading your work…

If you never want to make money from your writing…

If your goal is to simply write for pleasure or...

How to Write a Compelling Redemption Arc

Redemption has always been a popular theme, especially in—though not limited to—the Inspirational market.

However, redemption arcs can easily fall victim to cliché or become artificial constructs designed to put a character in a good light as your story wraps up.

Done wrong, they come off planted, cheap, and undeserved.

However, crafted effectively, the redemption of a character can result in a most uplifting read, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

What exactly is a Redemption Arc?

It’s a...

Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Contests Through 2024

Regardless where you are on your writing journey, you can benefit from entering contests.

The right contest can tell you:

Where you stand
How you measure up against the competition
What you still need to learn

And you could win cash.

That’s why my team researched a wide range of high-quality contests. We’ve included free competitions and also many with modest entry fees.

Contents

Short Story Writing Contests
Full Manuscript Writing Contests
Poetry Writing Contests


Need ...

How to Write a Flashback

Written well, a flashback can give your readers insight into a character and add depth to your story.

Done poorly, it can feel out of place, forced, and worse—cliched.

A flashback constitutes an interruption of your main onstage present story to depict events from the past.

If you flash back, you must have a concrete reason, and including that backstory must move your story forward.

Some flashbacks shouldn’t be flashbacks at all. They should be written in real time and sequence, fleshed out in a...