Janice Hardy's Blog, page 120

One the Road: What Are Your Characters Afraid Of?

Hi guys! I'm over at Seekerville today, talking about characters and their fears. Come on over and say hello!

Here's a sneak peek:

Fear is part of every story (and not just on the writer's side!). It motivates our characters, helps our readers understand what's at stake, and gives us emotional layers to plot with. It's a natural aspect of being human, even for characters who aren't swimming in the same gene pool as the rest of us.  (read the rest here)

Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writers: Your Number One Enemy Is Your Ego

By Victoria Landis, @victorialandis1

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Writing can be a very personal endeavor, and because of that, it's not uncommon for us to take everything said about our writing personally. But publishing is a business, so writers also need to be able to separate the personal from the work. Please help me welcome Victoria Landis to the lecture hall today, to share some tips on setting aside your writer's ego.

Victoria Landis is a professional writer and editor—and a veteran member of one of the toughest critique groups to ever grace South Florida. She’s been a member of Mystery Writers of America since 2003 and has served on the board of the Florida Chapter. She has also served as the Co-Chair for FMWA’s SleuthFest writers’ conference for 2015-2018.

Since 2008, she’s written a monthly humor column for The Parklander magazine. She has two novels out. Blinke It Away , a suspense set on Oahu, was chosen a BookRooster Reviewer’s pick for its consistently high ratings. Alias: Mitzi & Mack is a humorous crime novel that takes place in South Florida. Her latest release is a compendium of humorous essays, A Little Bit Sideways , which elicited the praise, “Victoria Landis is the Erma Bombeck of our times.” She has given seminars at the SleuthFest writers’ conference, and for the Murder on the Beach Summer Authors’ Academy and the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University. She especially enjoys the big picture editing and book doctoring.

Victoria is also an artist. She does graphics—book covers, ads, logos, and web-ready graphics—as well as oils on canvas, murals, and special effects.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

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

Real Life Diagnostics: Can You Visualize the Setting?

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: Two 

Please Note: As of today, RLD slots are booked through December 16.

This week’s questions:

1. Is the voice consistent?

2. Can you visualize the setting?

3. Is the show/tell balanced?

4. Would you want to keep reading?

Market/Genre: Science Fiction

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

Fiction University Has a New Critique Member!

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I’m delighted to announce that Maria D’Marco is joining the faculty here at Fiction University as a contributor. You’ll find her diagnosing the Real Life Diagnostics every other week with me, offering the same great feedback she’s been giving in the comments for a while now.

Maria is an editor with 20+ years experience. She specializes in developmental editing, and loves the process of wading through the raw, passionate words of a first draft. Currently based in Kansas City, she flirts with the idea of going mobile, pursuing her own writing and love of photography, while maintaining her fulfilling work with authors.

Please give her a warm welcome. Her first critique will be tomorrow. Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Producing Your Books in Audio Part Seven: Marketing

By Angela Quarles, @AngelaQuarles

Part of the Indie Author Series 

For the final post in this series, I'll briefly tackle marketing. You can catch up on the other posts in this series here.

Visibility is always a challenge and with the audiobook market it can be tougher and easier. Tougher because there aren't as many marketing channels, and easier because there's less competition and the Audible lists aren't clogged with scam books.

Tip # 1 - Get promo codes
Audible used to automatically email these to you a couple of days after your story released but they don't seem to do that any more. With my latest release I had some left over from a previous release, so I didn't try emailing them but have heard this works. Their email is support@acx.com
Read more »Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

One Brick at a Time: Crafting Compelling Scenes

By Barbara Ashford

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Many layers go into a great scene. Some we add on instinct, while others require a little thought or a lot of effort. Barbara Ashford visits the lecture hall to day to share tips on crafting compelling scenes.

Award-winning novelist Barbara Ashford has been praised by reviewers and readers alike for her compelling characters, heartfelt storytelling, and powerful scenes.

Barbara's first published series was the dark fantasy trilogy Trickster's Game (written as Barbara Campbell). Published by DAW Books, Trickster's Game was a finalist for the Mythopoeic Society's 2010 Fantasy Award for adult literature.

Barbara's background as a professional actress, lyricist, and librettist has helped her delve deeply into character and explore the complexities of human nature on the stage as well as on the page. Her musical adaptation of Far from the Madding Crowd has been optioned for Broadway.

She drew on her musical theatre roots for her second series, the award-winning Spellcast and its sequel Spellcrossed , set in a magical summer stock theatre. In 2014, DAW Books released the two novels in an omnibus edition: Spells at the Crossroads .

A graduate of the Odyssey workshop, Barbara has taught five previous online courses for Odyssey and has served on the staff of the Odyssey Critique Service for more than ten years. You can visit her dual selves at barbara-campbell.com and barbara-ashford.com

Website | Goodreads |

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