Zoe M. McCarthy's Blog, page 12
June 14, 2018
5 Tips for Including Humor in Your Story
You want to write humor into your story, but it’s funny only in your head. Keep trying, because all genres benefit from some humor. Sometimes humor isn’t well done and poor reviews are valid. But other times, the problem is some readers don’t have funny bones. Ignore their reviews. However, we must continue to hone […]
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June 7, 2018
How Do Readers Find Books They Want to Read?
You can’t wait to read the next engaging book. How do you find that novel? In today’s world, whether authors are traditionally published or self-published, we must invest time and money in promoting our books. It would be helpful if we could put out resources into activities that help readers find books they want to […]
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May 31, 2018
Tips for a Leading a Writers Workshop: Part 2 – Preparation
If you have a passion for effective writing concepts, consider turning them into workshops you can share with others. Here are tips to help you prepare a successful workshop. 6 Tips for Preparing a Writers Workshop 1. Start presenting at small venues and move up to conferences. I started giving workshops at my local writers group. […]
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May 24, 2018
Tips for Leading a Writers Workshop: Part 1 – Presenting
Leading a writers workshop is a great way to meet people and pay forward the writing help we’ve received. These tips will help you feel comfortable presenting to a group. 5 Tips in Leading a Writers Workshop – Presenting 1. Arrive early to set up so you can fix problems with projectors and computers, […]
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May 17, 2018
A Coincidence in a Story Can Be a Good Tactic
I’ve blogged on coincidences, and Steven James’s article, “What a Coincidence” (Writer’s Digest November/December 2017) hits on similar ideas. But James discusses a fresh angle. James says that at the beginning of a story, we can capitalize on using a coincidence, because at the onset of a story readers are open to coincidences. He adds […]
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May 10, 2018
How to Use Sounds to Affect the Character and Intrigue the Reader
Jane K. Cleland’s article, “Whisper Sweet Somethings” (Writer’s Digest February 2018) sparked two ideas about sounds I want to use in my work in progress. Here’s how I received Cleland’s suggestions. 1. Tone Down Sounds for Greater Effect I think of how melodrama is less effective than more subtle reactions. This is true for responses […]
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May 3, 2018
How Can Readers Know Information Unless I Tell Them?
When information and explanations interrupt, slow the story’s pace, or bore or frustrate readers writers need to hear, “Much information and explanations aren’t necessary, shouldn’t be told through author intrusion, can be fed in a little at a time, can be given without head hopping, and should be shown through actions and dialogue. Here’s an […]
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April 26, 2018
Give Something that Intrigues You a Spot in Your Story
Subject of Intrigue As the people who follow my Facebook author page know, a huge pig at a peculiar farm intrigues me. Horses, regular cows, longhorns, guinea hens, and Pig live there. Pig roots alongside the grazing cows. John knows he must be ready to stop if I see […]
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April 19, 2018
What a Writer Can Learn From Reading Book Reviews
On the premise we can learn about an author’s audience from reading book reviews, I studied reviews for a Christian contemporary romance I had read. I became more intrigued by the relationship between reviewers’ issues and their star-ratings than the author’s audience. The book had 262 reviews with a 4.7-star average. 5 stars = 202 […]
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April 12, 2018
Wounded Heroines as Strong Female Characters
I’ve heard readers dislike weak female characters. Recently, I published, “Show Your Character’s Wounds?” Together, these ideas may confuse writers. They may ask: Can wounded heroines be strong female characters? Strong Female Character First, I’ve compiled a list of traits I believe belong to a strong female character. ♥ is multidimensional ♥ perseveres and endures; […]
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