Anne R. Allen's Blog, page 9
July 2, 2023
Why Can’t a Novelist Write Like a Screenwriter?
by Anne R. Allen Recently, a blog reader asked me why readers dislike it when the POV character dies at the end of chapter one, when most TV cop shows start with the victim being murdered — and nobody complains. As I said in my blogpost on 8 Ways Not to Start a Novel: “This […]
The post Why Can’t a Novelist Write Like a Screenwriter? appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
June 25, 2023
How to Quick Pitch Your Book in a DoorDash World
by Ruth Harris The Tyranny Of The Time Stamp. We all live under the lash of the digital clock and the tyranny of the time stamp. It’s not just us, it’s everyone everywhere — Fast food and even faster fashion. Pro chess players have 2 minutes to make their moves. On each move 12 seconds […]
The post How to Quick Pitch Your Book in a DoorDash World appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
June 18, 2023
Why One Author Left a Traditional Press for Indie Publishing: Words of Wisdom from Sue Coletta
by Sue Coletta When I wrote my first novel, I had visions of landing a Big-Name Publisher who’d send a limo to wine ‘n dine me to celebrate this amazing accomplishment. Well, of course, that never happened. After writing four more novels, I landed a publisher. Two, actually. One wanted to sign me immediately. Kensington […]
The post Why One Author Left a Traditional Press for Indie Publishing: Words of Wisdom from Sue Coletta appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
June 11, 2023
Eight Ways Not to Start a Novel
by Anne R. Allen First let me say you can start a novel any way you want in order to get words on a blank page. Anything goes when you’re writing your first draft. I always say the first draft of a novel is for the writer and the final draft is for the […]
The post Eight Ways Not to Start a Novel appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
June 4, 2023
Readers’ Pet Peeves: Should Writers Pay Attention to Them?
by Anne R. Allen As a reader, I’ve recently developed some pet peeves that never used to bother me. Maybe it’s age. These days I find it almost impossible to follow a novel with wild head-hopping, where every spear-carrier is a POV character. I’m also bored by stories where everybody is horrible and there’s nobody […]
The post Readers’ Pet Peeves: Should Writers Pay Attention to Them? appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
May 28, 2023
Writer Wannabes and Other Literary Cooties. How One Author Fought Back — And Won.
by Ruth Harris We all know them. Each of us has encountered them. They are the pilot fish and blood suckers with literary stars in their eyes who wannabe — drumroll — A Writer! Wannabe writers come to you with gauzy fantasies about “inspiration” and visions of overnight fame and instant riches. And they have […]
The post Writer Wannabes and Other Literary Cooties. How One Author Fought Back — And Won. appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
May 21, 2023
Should You Leave Your Critique Group Once You’re a Published Author?
by Anne R. Allen “Leave your critique group” was my editor’s advice after my first full-length novel, Food of Love, came out with his UK publishing house. He said he didn’t want a bunch of wannabes messing with my work. He had a point, and I understood what he meant. But the members of […]
The post Should You Leave Your Critique Group Once You’re a Published Author? appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
May 14, 2023
Where’s the Spatter?? Ten TV Tropes that Drive a Crime Writer CRAAAZY
by Melodie Campbell I’m a crime writer. Hell, I’ll put on my other hat (the one with the pointy top) and say it. I’ve also been a fantasy writer (same pen name, different genre.) So I know about suspension of disbelief. I’m willing to admit that as an audience, we might agree to ‘suspend belief’ […]
The post Where’s the Spatter?? Ten TV Tropes that Drive a Crime Writer CRAAAZY appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
May 7, 2023
10 Facts Writers Need to Know to Stay Safe from Scammers
by Anne R. Allen With the self-publishing revolution, we were warned of a “tsunami of crap,” but the real problem is the tsunami of scammers. They seem to invent a new way to scam writers every day. Not just indies, but the traditionally published as well. Unfortunately, there are plenty of uninformed wannabe writers […]
The post 10 Facts Writers Need to Know to Stay Safe from Scammers appeared first on Anne R. Allen's Blog... with Ruth Harris.
April 30, 2023
Outlines, AI and Stormy Daniels
by Ruth Harris I’d been planning to write my April post about outlines. Which authors do outlines? And which ones don’t? (I don’t and neither does Anne). I’d done a bit of research and made some notes when along came AI, the hot new kid in town. How could I ignore AI when everyday I […]
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