Janice Hardy's Blog, page 117

Plotting a Novel: The Big Picture vs. Single Scenes

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Plotting a novel (or a short story) seems like it ought to be an easy thing to do, because you’re just describing what happens in the book. But “How do I plot a novel?” is also the number one question I get asked, so clearly, plotting is harder than it looks.

When I first started writing, I too struggled with plotting. I didn’t fully understand what it was, so I wound up explaining how my characters explored whatever cool idea I’d come up with. I had no actual plots, even though I’d thought I did. All my novels sounded like this (and yes, these are manuscripts I’ve written):
A fantasy novel about a group of pirates who get caught up in an ancient prophecy and have to fight an evil god A science fiction novel about a group of teens who get stranded on a new colony world and have to survive until help comes A middle grade novel about a group of outcasts at a school for monsters Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

5 Lessons on Writing Humor

By Chris von Halle, @ChrisvonHalle

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: There's an old joke about dying is easy, but comedy is hard, and Jack Lemmon knew what he was talking about. If you're struggling with the funny, Chris von Halle visits the lecture hall today to share some tips on writing humor.

Chris von Halle is pretty sure he has superhuman powers, if only he could discover and untap them. Until he does, he’ll just have to be satisfied with living in Ridgewood, New Jersey, engaging in such extraordinary activities as watching tennis and basketball, playing video games, and trying to improve his already sublimely muscular rear, if he says so himself.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

Take it away Chris...
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Why Should Fiction Writers Blog?

By Anne R. Allen, @annerallen

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: When I sold my first novel (back in 2008), everyone told me I needed to start a blog. All the authors were doing it, and if I wanted to be successful, I had to jump in. As a teen fantasy author, I had no idea what to blog about (or why anyone would care that I was blogging at all), so I fell back on what I knew--writing. For me, it worked out great, but not all writers have been as lucky. For those facing the "to blog or not to blog?" question, the delightful Anne R. Allen visits the lecture hall today to share her expertise on blogging as a fiction writer.

Anne R. Allen is the author of 12 books, including her new release from Kotu Beach Press: The Author Blog: Easy Blogging for Busy Authors . Her award-winning blog, Anne R. Allen's Blog…with Ruth Harris was named one of Writer's Digest's Best 101 Websites for Writers. She's also the co-author of How to Be a Writer in the E-Age , with NYT bestseller Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter |

The Author Blog: Easy Blogging for Busy Authors is available in ebook for $2.99 for a limited time at Nook, Kobo, Apple, and Amazon. The paper version launches in February 2018.

Take it away Anne...
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writing Prompt: The Chain Story: Just a Squeak

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

This week’s prompt is a chain story! I’ll give you the first line, and someone else comments and builds off that line. Next commenter will build off that line, and so on.

In the event of two commenters posting at the same time and sending the story in different directions, just pick the line you like best, or try to incorporate both if you can.

It started with a squeak.
Let the fun begin.




Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Real Life Diagnostics: Does This Women’s Fiction Opening Work?

Critique By Maria D'Marco

Real Life Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to Real Life Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.

Submissions currently in the queue: None 

Please Note: As of today, RLD slots are open.

This week’s question:

Does this opening work? 

Market/Genre: Women's fiction

On to the diagnosis… 
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

The Sum of the Parts: Writing a Synopsis

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

This week's Refresher Friday takes another look at something many of us might be doing this month--writing a synopsis.

Aside from queries--and maybe electronic hotel card keys--few things are as frustrating as writing a synopsis.

Condensing an entire novel to just a few pages means some things are going to be minimized or even excluded. I've found that approaching a synopsis similarly to how I approach outlining my novel helps me narrow down what to include.
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Things to Consider When Considering Self Publishing

By S.R. Johannes, @srjohannes

Part of the Indie Authors Series

JH: I have a fun new group of indie authors coming in for 2018, so I'm dipping into the archives this week while I get everyone settled in. With the new year, odds are some of you are considering your publishing paths and thinking about indie publishing, so here's another look at things to consider when considering self publishing. It's from 2014, but the questions are still valid for 2018. I've added some comments on things that have changed.

As you guys may (or may not) know, in 2011, I chose to self pub my young adult thriller series (Nature of Grace) after it had some close calls in the traditional world.

I would not change that decision for the life of me – I absolutely love self-pubbing and plan to continue it in some sense. And I love where I am. I have an awesome agent now to help push my traditional work and I have a great foundation and reader base for my self-pubbed books.
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

What Can Fiction University Do for You?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Fiction University celebrates its 10th Anniversary this March. It's changed a lot over those ten years, growing from an author's blog to a site dedicated to helping writers achieve their writing dreams. 

With the new year starting, I decided it was a good time to hear from you guys about what you want from the site and how I can best help you with your writing journey.

If you have a few minutes, please answer this quick 9-question survey about the site and how it can better serve you. I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Thanks!

ETA: Some folks are having trouble accessing the survey on pads and phones, so here's another link that ought to get you to it. Apologies for that, I didn't know it was a bit twitchy (grin).

Click here to go to the survey if you don't see it below.

Create your own user feedback survey Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Are You Looking for a Critique Group or Partner?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

It's Crit Time Again!

Back in 2013 I started a Yahoo Group called "Janice Hardy's Critique Connection" to help writers connect with like-minded folks looking for critique groups or partners. It was designed to help people find long-term, quality writing partners, not just places you can toss up your work and get quick feedback.

It went from a one-time thing to annually, and now to every six months (I open it up every January and July). If you're looking to join or create a group, add more to your existing group, or find a critique partner, odds are you'll find someone here.
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Why You Should Do a Year-End Wrap Up

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy 

It's that time of year again--when bloggers do their year-end wrap up and reflect on how things went over the past 365 days. But this year, I'm not making it all about me. This year, I'm inviting you to do your own wrap ups, too.

I've found these posts to be a good tool to examine where I've been, what I've succeeded at, remind myself what I wanted to do and what was important to my career, and refocus my writing energy. I think every writer can benefit from writing down and looking at how their year went. Feel free to share your wrap up and goals in the comments.

Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com