by DiAnn Mills @diannmills A novel’s first page is critical to the success of a successful novel. Here, the writer must hook the reader into the story by doing the following: Establish genre Introduce a sympathetic character. Initiate a bond between the protagonist and the reader. Build a setting. Create…

by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel “Think before you speak!” is good advice. What about “Think before you write?” Not a bad idea either. And I would add to that, “Pray before you write.” I’ve seen far too much writing launched out into the world these days with nary a thought…

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson Saving for a rainy day isn’t just good financial advice—it’s good writing advice. We all have those times when inspiration doesn’t choose to shine on us. But if we’ve been storing valuable things, we’ll be able to continue to make progress. [tweet_box design="default" float="none" inject="- @EdieMelson…

by Cindy Sproles @cindydevoted “I have a memoir.” An excited conferee sat across from an acquisitions editor. An awkward silence seeped across the table. The editor tinkered with the manuscript. “We aren’t looking for memoirs.” “But your site says you publish them.” “We publish memoirs if you’re Brad Pitt, George…

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest What do you do when you have writer’s block? Do you try to write in spite of nothing to pen? Read new books or watch bad movies? Take a long walk off a short pier? What do you do?   [tweet_box design="default" float="none" inject="via @SarahVanDiest…

by Aaron Gansky @adgansky You're using language when you write. Can’t do it without. But language is more a term encompassing vocabulary, imagery, and figurative language. Though it’s of vital importance, it seems to be the thing that is most often overlooked. As writers, we put notoriously little thought into…