Worldbuilding is often seen as the domain of fantasy writers. But it’s so much more than just creating a fantasy world. It’s in the foundation of every story – even those set in the real world. It encompasses where we set our story in both location and time, it’s the mood of the book, the way our characters move in their setting and environment, the reason why our characters interact as they do. The world pushes on our characters and the characters push back in some way – just as we do in real life! It draws the reader in, …
Perfecting Your Pitch & Plotting Your Story | Soraya M. Lane.
Whether you’re a new writer starting out or an already published author, one thing you have to be good at is pitching. This is as true for someone querying agents as it is for someone already working with an editor? Why? Because pitching doesn’t stop when you sell your first or even your 30th book – trust me, I’m in the thick of writing pitches right now! I’m fortunate to be able to sell ideas at proposal stage, thanks to working with my editors for some time, but if I can’t write a good, short pitch to hook their attention, …
MARCH OWL | Playing at being God: effective and fun world-building with Sue-Ellen Pashley
Course Dates: 4 — 31 March 2019Cost: RWA Member—$55. Non-RWA Member—$88.Venue: Online RWA Moodle Platform Booking link: www.trybooking.com/ZQRA About the course… World-building is an important element of any story and, when done well, can become a character in its own right. But how do you make sure that you’re an effective ‘God’? How can you ensure that your world, whether it’s real, alternative or imaginary, makes sense and is a good foundation for your characters and plot? And how much is enough? This course will give participants strategies, information and checklists to help you get this right. The course will …
MARCH OWL | Perfecting Your Pitch & Plotting Your Story with Soraya M. Lane
Pitching & Plotting… how to make sure you deliver on both in this four week, online course with bestselling author Soraya M. Lane!
Why don’t you need a website?
So many beginner writers ask me ‘do I really need a website?’. Of course, the answer is a resounding yes, but in my view they are really saying something quite different. I think they all know they need a website, but they are worried, scared and generally feeling overwhelmed at the idea of creating one. Or getting someone else to create one. Expensive. Tech nerdy. Complicated. So they try to avoid it and ask ‘do I really need a website?’ in the hope that I will say that of course they can go ahead and build a fabulous writing career …
Edit Your Own Romance Novel
Well hey there, how are your writing resolutions holding up? My resolutions are to write more – I guess that’s everyone here too, huh? My other resolution is to publish more, which means making sure my books are good enough to get out there and earn their keep! I can guarantee you there will be a typo in this short article. And that’s OK! We’re all human and we’re all doing our best. I’ve had some of my books traditionally published and I’ve self-published many others – and even the professionally published ones which had multiple rounds of editing and …
How to set up a Weebly website in 4 easy lessons
Presented by Sara Hood Course Dates: 4 February — 3 March 2019 Cost: RWA Member—$55. Non-RWA Member—$88. Venue: Facebook Booking link: www.trybooking.com/ZOIH About the course… As writers, we need to have a website. It doesn’t need to be complex, but it does need to exist. How do we do that with limited resources, both financial and time? Easy! Weebly. A simple, drag and drop online website builder and host that requires minimal technical knowledge to set up. And I do mean minimal. If you can fill your car with petrol, you can make a Weebly website. This course will show …
Appeal to readers with emotive showing and telling
Show don’t tell is yelled from roof tops and preached at literary alters, and yet it remains one of the most problematic maxims for fiction writers around the globe. It’s the telling part that gives us the most trouble because it is inherent in the art of storytelling. So, how can you make sense of the maxim and successfully apply it to your writing? In this article we’re going to explore the importance of avoiding key storytelling pitfalls and change the way you view showing and telling. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light …
Three Ways Not To Start Your Story
When it comes to writing a book, sometimes it’s easier to look at the things you shouldn’t do than those you should. Here are some common mistakes writers make that you can easily avoid: 1. It was all a dream When you start a story with a dream or a vision or something that doesn’t really happen, it makes the reader confused. What’s real? What’s not? Is the next chapter going to end this way too? When someone chooses to read your book, they’re putting their faith in you as an author. By adding those five evil words (and then …
Show Don’t Tell is Like a Layer Cake
Presented by Sandy Vaile Course Dates: 7 January — 3 February 2019 Cost: RWA Member—$55. Non-RWA Member—$88. Venue: Online – RWA Moodle Platform Booking link: www.trybooking.com/ZIVD About the course… We’ve all heard this old adage, but applying it often causes confusion, because it’s riddled with contradictions. Both showing and telling are valuable techniques. One creates drama and movement, and the other conveys information succinctly and poetically. Bring your story into focus by finding a balance between action and brevity that will captivate readers. Participants will: • Discover when to show, and when it’s okay to tell. • Identify and banish …