Janice Hardy's Blog, page 46
June 3, 2020
Why You Should Tighten Your Novel's Narrative Focus
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy A loss of narrative focus can lead to a loss of reader interest.
I read a novel once that started off strong, then wandered into the weeds. It was a shame, because the premise was great and I really wanted to know what happened, but the story grew more confusing and muddied the farther I read.
It completely lost its narrative focus, and in doing so, lost its reader.
If you're unfamiliar with the term, narrative focus is the common idea that ties a sentence, paragraph, scene, or chapter together. It’s what keeps the story flowing because everything lines up in lovely little story roads. It's similar to narrative drive, as it helps keep the pace moving as events and details build upon one another and make readers feel like the story is going somewhere they can clearly follow.
Basically, if you've ever had a four-year-old tell you a story, you've experienced what a lack of narrative focus sounds like.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
Why You Should Tightening Your Novel's Narrative Focus
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy A loss of narrative focus can lead to a loss of reader interest.
I read a novel once that started off strong, then wandered into the weeds. It was a shame, because the premise was great and I really wanted to know what happened, but the story grew more confusing and muddied the farther I read.
It completely lost its narrative focus, and in doing so, lost its reader.
If you're unfamiliar with the term, narrative focus is the common idea that ties a sentence, paragraph, scene, or chapter together. It’s what keeps the story flowing because everything lines up in lovely little story roads. It's similar to narrative drive, as it helps keep the pace moving as events and details build upon one another and make readers feel like the story is going somewhere they can clearly follow.
Basically, if you've ever had a four-year-old tell you a story, you've experienced what a lack of narrative focus sounds like.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
June 2, 2020
5 Ways to Put the Fun Back into Writing
By Jodi Turchin, @jlturchinPart of The Writer's Life Series
JH: We can all use a little pick me up in our writing from time to fun. Jodi Turchin shares five of her favorite "writing toys" that put the fun back into writing.
Jodi Turchin is a Young Adult novelist represented by Dawn Frederick at Red Sofa Literary. She’s also a photographer, a high school English teacher, an adjunct college professor, and a former actress and director.
Website | Twitter
Take it away Jodi…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
June 1, 2020
On the Road: Interview with J.T. Hardy (and a Giveaway)
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_HardyJust a little heads up that my alter-ego, J.T., (my pen name for my adult urban fantasy series) did a fun interview with I Love Vampire Novels today. I'm talking a bit about my Grace Harper series, and the paranormal genre. I'm also giving away a signed copy of the book.
Come on over and say hello!
Written by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 30, 2020
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at Creating Compelling Openings
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 June 20.
This week’s questions:
1. Do you find the opening easy to understand? If not, why not?
2. Do you find it compelling? If so, why?
3. Can you easily access the story, setting and character?
4. Are you immediately engaged? If not, why not?
Market/Genre: Historical Fiction
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 29, 2020
When Two Writers are Better Than One: How to Collaborate on Your Next Novel
By Sarah Skilton, @Sarah_SkiltonPart of The Writer's Life Series
JH: Teaming up with a fellow writer can be a great way to share the writing burden and produce more books. Sarah Skilton shares thoughts and tips on things to consider when considering collaboration.
Tash Skilton is the pen name of Sarvenaz Tash (author of The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love and Virtually Yours ) and Sarah Skilton (author of Fame Adjacent and Club Deception ), who met on Twitter and parlayed their online friendship into an IRL one. Their Guidebook to Forever Friendship includes getting each other's '90s pop culture references, passionately discoursing their favorite TV shows/books/movies via email, and cheering each other on through the psychological matrix that is motherhood. They have a complicated relationship with the Internet, but will also always love it for facilitating their bicoastal friendship (and the writing of their books).
Their first book together, Ghosting: A Love Story (a multicultural, millennial spin on You’ve Got Mail), released May 26, 2020 from Kensington in paperback, e-book, and audiobook, and has sold foreign translation rights to five territories.
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram
Take it away Sarah...
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 28, 2020
When to Tell and Not Show
By Swati Teerdhala, @swatiteerdhalaPart of The How They Do It Series
JH: Showing and not telling is a core aspect of writing, but sometimes telling is actually better for the story. Swati Teerdhala shares thoughts on when it's okay--and preferable--to tell and not show.
Swati Teerdhala is the author of the upcoming novel, The Tiger at Midnight, the first in a trilogy. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and History, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of chai, the right ratio of curd-to-crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell. She currently lives in New York City and can be found wandering the streets with a pen or camera in hand.
Instagram | Website | Twitter
Take it away Swati…Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 27, 2020
A Handy Checklist to Strengthen the Narrative Drive in Your Scenes
By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy A strong narrative drive is critical to keeping readers hooked.
Like pretty much everyone these days, I have a lot going on in my life. I get distracted, and then I forget things, and that leads to unhappiness in a variety of ways. Making lists helps keep me focused and prevents me from forgetting things (as much, let’s be honest here).
This carries over into my writing.
It’s also a reason I love outlining.
Wait, hang on! Before you pantsers and anti-outliners click away, this isn’t about outlining (per se). It’s about a tool to help writers keep their stories moving forward. It’s about crafting a strong narrative drive, and it doesn’t have to happen in the first draft if that’s not your thing.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 26, 2020
The Antithesis Method: A Simple Solution to Getting Unstuck in a Scene
By Bonnie RandallPart of The How They Do It Series
JH: Stuck in a scene? Maybe going forward isn't the right way to handle it. Bonnie Randall shares her method for fixing a troublesome scene.
A challenge I have used when stuck on a scene that feels wooden, isn’t working, or just refuses to write itself is something I have nicknamed “The Antithesis Method,” and it’s as simple as this:
Just write the scene precisely opposite of how you had planned to write it. If they were going to be friends, make them fight. If they were robbing a bank, have them get robbed. If they were headed to a wedding, land them at a funeral.Sound like a lot of work and a lot of dismantling? Trust me, it is—put it can be well worth it.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
May 23, 2020
WIP Diagnostic: Is This Working? A Closer Look at a Suspense Novel's Opening Page
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 June 20.
This week’s question:
Is this opening page working?
Market/Genre: Suspense
On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com
