I adore pitch contests. I think they’re an amazing way to meet other writers, get feedback, connect with the writing community, test out your pitch/query/first page without closing any doors, and more. They are absolutely amazing, and I think every querying writer (or about-to-query writer) should participate in them. That said, you know what? InContinue reading “Contest Requests: Awesome, But Not Where the Rainbow Really Ends”
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Honest Answers to Querying Writer FAQs
For fun, here are some honest answers to the questions querying (or pre-querying) writers REALLY frequently ask. Q. Is my book any good? A. Yes. But it could be better. Q. OK, is my book good enough? A. WRONG QUESTION! It’s never good enough. Back to the revision pits! Q. How do I make this book better? I’ve lookedContinue reading “Honest Answers to Querying Writer FAQs”
Dramatic Tension Part 2: Chapter Breaks
Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re reading a good book, and you tell yourself, “Okay, it’s getting late, I really need to stop reading at the end of this chapter.” But then you get to the end of the chapter, and AAAAH! It ends with some incredible twist, and you have to keep reading.Continue reading “Dramatic Tension Part 2: Chapter Breaks”
Dramatic Tension Part 1: Layers of Tension
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about dramatic tension. I think manipulating dramatic tension is just as important as plot, character, and voice, but it doesn’t seem to get talked about as often. Yet dramatic tension is often the biggest factor that keeps me reading—it’s what makes a book un-put-down-able. It’s how writersContinue reading “Dramatic Tension Part 1: Layers of Tension”
Keep Revising: The Best Advice No Writer Wants to Hear
Every time I start a new round of revisions or edits, I save off a new version of my book. That way, if I decide I liked something better the old way, or want to salvage some language from a scene I cut two versions ago, it’s easy to go back and find what IContinue reading “Keep Revising: The Best Advice No Writer Wants to Hear”
January Contest Crit Giveaway: Query or First 250
While I got my agent through querying, contests were critical along the way. Contests helped me hone my query and first 250, introduced me to other writers who gave me great feedback and encouragement, and pointed me to all kinds of fantastic online resources. In 2015, I want to give back to the writing communityContinue reading “January Contest Crit Giveaway: Query or First 250”
Writing Goals for 2015
I have to say, I’m really excited about my writing plans for 2015. I have three main projects I’m working on at the beginning of this year, each one at a different stage: First there’s JANUARY IN SHADOW, a YA contemporary fantasy. I recently did a major revision for my agent which I’m really happyContinue reading “Writing Goals for 2015”
2014: The Year of the Phoenix
It was the year of fire, the year of destruction. The year we took back what was ours. It was a new age. It was the end of history. It was the year everything changed. The year was 2014. The place: Babylo…. wait. No, this is about my writing career. But yeah, it was aContinue reading “2014: The Year of the Phoenix”
Writing Secondary Characters from the Inside Out
My growth as a writer consists largely of “Well, DUH!” moments, where I realize in a blazing epiphany something super obvious I should have known all along. My latest is about writing secondary characters, and I’d like to share it with you. (I can’t say that without hearing a folk guitar intro in the background,Continue reading “Writing Secondary Characters from the Inside Out”
On Tearing Down Walls
I grew up wanting to see more girls with swords on book covers. When I find one, it still makes me feel all warm and happy inside (especially if she’s wearing sufficient clothing, but that’s a whole ‘nother issue). It means I have a place in stories — a place I want, and a place IContinue reading “On Tearing Down Walls”
Melissa Caruso 