Writing Thrillers: Two More Principles That Guide Jeffrey Deaver

At the 1 May SkillBuild in High Point, NC, bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver cited three principles that guide his writing. Last week, I discussed his first principle: Don’t write something that readers don’t want to read. Remember the liver-flavored toothpaste … Continue reading

Writing to Sell: Chris Roerden Says Get an Attitude!

A fiction writer can improve his or her craft by studying books like Eats, Shoots & Leaves, taking courses that teach elements such as plotting and characterization, and hiring an editor. Just as important as craft is a writer’s voice. … Continue reading

“Body Language on the Page”

In February, I participated in Mary Buckham’s online course and discussion, “Body Language on the Page,” with the Guppies. The last online class I’d taken with Mary was “Plotting with the Mythic Structure: Creating Surefire Plots that Sell”, in January … Continue reading

Author Elizabeth Zelvin on Editing, Critique, and Craft

 Elizabeth Zelvin, author of Death Will Get You Sober and Death Will Help You Leave Him, capped a two-week tour through North Carolina yesterday at the Sternberger Center in Greensboro with her presentation “The End is Just the Beginning: Editing, … Continue reading