by gatlin | Jul 27, 2014 | Guest Post
So you’ve finished the first chapter of your book and made sure to open your story with either a bang or a captivating introduction to the tale. You’ve given the reader something to be interested in; however, now it’s your job to create some sort of...
by gatlin | Jun 22, 2014 | Manuscript Editing
The best writing advice I ever received was how to identify when I’m “telling,” rather than “showing.” And I’m going to share that advice with you. You probably already know what “telling versus showing” means. If so,...
by gatlin | May 25, 2014 | Manuscript Editing
This may read like Grammar 101, but I see these mistakes in a lot of unpublished, new author’s works. Unfortunately, these mistakes scream “Amateur!” and hurt the author’s chances of getting published. If these rules are elementary, skip them....
by gatlin | Apr 28, 2014 | Mystery Writing 101
Every murder mystery must include an X Factor — the twist that heightens the suspense in the story and keeps it as unpredictable as possible. Story twists should always come when the reader least expects them. Twists or surprises can be obstacles for the...
by gatlin | Apr 26, 2014 | Writers Block
For me, writer’s block hits for one real reason: I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen next. I generally have a clear outline, and I know I want to take the murder mystery from point “A” to point “C.” It’s...