Janice Hardy's Blog, page 43
July 18, 2020
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Revising Your Opening Scene
Critique By Maria D'Marco WIP 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 WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.
Submissions currently in the queue: Two
Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through August 1.
This week’s questions:
1. What writing aspects are most needed to add/delete from this scene? (i.e. More showing, more intriguing issue/problem to start, action, pacing, clearer storyline? etc.)
2. What does/doesn’t work with this scene?
Market/Genre: Romantic Suspense
Note: This is a revision of a previous submission.
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 16, 2020
Crafting Deep Fiction: How Emotional Wounds Can Steer a Character’s Job Choice
By Angela Ackerman, @AngelaAckermanPart of The Writer’s Life Series
JH: What a character does for a living is an opportunity to deepen that character and your story. Angela Ackerman shares tips on how to use emotional wounds to steer a character's job choice.
Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus and its many sequels. Her books are available in eight languages, are sourced by US universities, recommended by agents and editors, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and psychologists around the world. To date, this book collection has sold over half a million copies.
Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, a portal to game-changing tools and resources that enable writers to craft powerful fiction.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Take it away Angela...
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 14, 2020
4 Free Must-Have Writing Apps
By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughtonPart of The Writer's Life Series
JH: Finding the right software for the right job isn't easy, but what we write with can make a difference in how productive we are. Laurence MacNaughton shares four great (and free) writing apps every writer needs.
Writers can't afford to mess around with software unless it actually helps you write better and faster. As a writer, my livelihood depends on producing results on a daily basis. With that in mind, I've put together a short list of apps that every writer desperately needs.
Shockingly, Google Docs, Evernote, and Grammarly didn't make it onto my list. But some surprising ones did.
The apps below are the real deal. I use them every day. They are either free, or offer a generous free trial period. That way, you don't have to spend a dime to start becoming a faster, better, and happier writer, starting today.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 13, 2020
Story Rulez: Two Things Every Novel Needs to Do
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyThere are a lot of rules in writing, but only two you really need to follow.
I'm a big fan of the story. If I had to chose between a great story and great writing, I'd take story every time, because without a great story, who cares about the writing? I've seen wonderfully written manuals, but that didn't make me want to curl up with them in front of a fire.
I've gotten myself into some debates over which is more important to a new writer. Should they focus on improving their writing or their story?
Knowing the rules is important. Writing is a skill, and there's only so far you can go with raw talent. At some point, you'll need to know what you're doing. But I also think that no matter how good a writer you are, if you're not also a storyteller, you won't go that far either.
Most readers don't pick up a book because the author is technically skilled--they pick it up because it sounds like a good story.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 12, 2020
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Middle Grade Opening
Critique By Maria D'Marco WIP 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 WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.
Submissions currently in the queue: Three
Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through August 1.
This week’s question:
Is this a strong beginning and would it make a child want to know more?
Market/Genre: Middle Grade
Note from JH: Since I took the holiday off last week, I'm doubling up this week to keep on schedule. Enjoy!
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 11, 2020
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Setting the Opening Scene
Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyWIP 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 WIP Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines.
Submissions currently in the queue: Four
Please Note: As of today, critique slots are booked through August 1.
This week’s questions:
This is the opening of a ‘Neo Victorian Space Opera’. Sort of Captain Kirk meets Captain Hornblower. Is this short introduction is capable of inspiring the reader to keep going? Both characters become POV characters and often observe each other’s actions in this manner. Does this introduce them and the prospect of their stories? It is a YA story for young men to grow up on, mentor and trust, blended with swashbuckling and galaxy hopping adventure. Does the atmosphere begin to grow on you or is it to vague?
Market/Genre: YA Science Fiction
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 9, 2020
Successful Self-Publishing: Write a Great Book (Part 2)
By Laurisa White Reyes, @lwreyesPart of The Indie Authors Series
JH: Writing a great book takes work and dedication. Laurisa White Reyes shares a few tips on how to stick with it to get the book you want.
Laurisa White Reyes is the award-winning author of seventeen books, including 8 Secrets to Successful Self-Publishing . She is also the founder and senior editor of Skyrocket Press and teaches English composition at College of the Canyons in Southern California. Visit her website at www.SkyrocketPress.com.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |
Take it away Laurisa...
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 7, 2020
3 Reasons You Should Quit Writing
By Orly Konig, @OrlyKonigPart of The Writer's Life Series
JH: When the writing gets hard, some writers wonder if they should just quit. Orly Konig shares three reasons to quit writing--and one reason not to.
Orly Konig is an escapee from the corporate world. Now she spends her days chatting up imaginary friends, drinking too much coffee, and negotiating writing space around her cats. She is the founding president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and a member of the Tall Poppy Writers. She’s a book coach and author of The Distance Home and Carousel Beach .
Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | BookBub | Goodreads
Take it away Orly…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 2, 2020
How to Set Up Your Sponsored Product Ads in Amazon
By Dave Chesson, @DaveChessonPart of The Indie Authors Series
JH: Advertising your book on Amazon might seem like a challenge, but it's easier than you think. Dave Chesson shares a step-by-step process on setting up your sponsored ads.
Dave Chesson is the founder of Kindlepreneur.com and creator of Publisher Rocket, a software that helps authors market their books more effectively.
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Take it away Dave…
Amazon ads are an amazing marketing tool for authors who want to see more conversions--whether that means Kindle Unlimited borrows or just plain sales. For that reason, indie authors should probably be investing some of their marketing budget, no matter how small or big, into Amazon’s advertising platform.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
July 1, 2020
Moving Forward: Writing Smooth Transitions
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy The flow of a novel is an important and often overlooked aspect of keeping readers immersed in the story.
When I'm reading, I'm much more engrossed in prose that goes smoothly from one thought to the next and one scene to another. If the text is too choppy, it jars me right out of the story and I have difficulty getting back into it. It's like getting interrupted every few minutes when you're trying to focus--before long, you just give up.
A strong story usually has a strong sense of story flow. The author smoothly takes the reader from idea to idea, scene to scene, and chapter to chapter. The information shared is handled with care and readers aren't given too much or too little. Everything flows so effortlessly readers forget they're reading.
Weaker prose doesn't flow so well. Chapters end in odd places, scenes just stop, and paragraphs contain awkward phrases that jars readers right out of the story. Readers are reminded over and over that they're reading, and they notice the flaws more than the story.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
