Victoria Grefer's Blog, page 16

Why Readers Cut Real People More Slack Than Characters (Who Don’t Exist)

Hello, authors! Welcome to a new series of posts about characterization: about why authors should give readers an understanding of their characters’ hearts. This series was inspired by a comment in a recent post, a comment that observed we cut … Continue reading →

Bad Pacing as A Content Issue: And How to Fix It

Today’s topic is pacing your fiction, and editing bad pacing. There are two main points I want to make about pacing: You will never be able to truly judge your pacing. No author can. You’ll notice obvious issues, but there … Continue reading →

What Ogres, Onions, and Parfaits Have in Common With A Good Novel

Today–continuing on the topic of content edits in fiction–I want to talk about subplots. About balance between subplots. It’s SOOO hard to do. It’s hard because each subplot has its own tone, mood, and theme. Each also has its own … Continue reading →

What is an idea anyway? Guest blog on creativity and research by Wood Dickinson

Please join me in welcoming Wood Dickinson today to crimsonleague.com! Wood is an award-winning filmmaker at renegade Pictures. Today he’s going to discuss a topic as applicable to novels as it is to screenplays: how to develop an idea, and … Continue reading →

Hurricane Katrina: Eight Years Later, a New Orleanian Reflects

This post is going to be a bit different than usual, but I feel that I should write it. As a native of New Orleans, I feel I should share my Katrina story. Eight years ago today (Monday, August 29, … Continue reading →

WRITERS: The Big Benefits of Jumping to Another Section When Editing Gets Tough

Welcome, authors! Today I’m sticking with my current theme of content edits: I’m getting a LOT of editing accomplished each day, and it’s making me happy. Thinking about HOW I’m being productive, I realized I’m building confidence by not spinning … Continue reading →

One Simple Way To Resolve Plot Issues In Your Novel

I’ve been considering the topic of content edits over the last few days, since I’m dealing with a first round of edits right now. Today I wanted to focus on something that is obvious for us writers: so obvious that … Continue reading →

Authors: Take Brainstorming to the Next Level. Let It Help You EDIT.

Yesterday I broke down content edits into different categories. Today, I want to talk a bit more about editing and developing plot: whether you are editing an outline or a full-fledged draft. What happens when you just don’t know how … Continue reading →

Creative Writing Workshop: Breaking Down Content Edits

I’m in the middle of a first draft edit, so editing is definitely on my mind. Because of that, I got to thinking about content edits today, and all that is involved in editing a troubled draft. (Believe me, every … Continue reading →

How Does An Author Adjust His or Her Approach from Novel to Novel?

Hello authors! Have you ever thought about how not only every writer, but every NOVEL is different and requires a different process? This is why I say that flexibility is so important to us writers. You’ve got to adapt. My … Continue reading →