By far, one of the most useful tools in a writer’s arsenal is the critique. But what is a critique? What makes a good critique? And how do I critique for a writer who wants to trade? When I began trading work, I wasn’t sure what to do or what to expect. After three years … Read more
This is my third entry in my Cover to Cover series which follows a novel from inception to potential publication. It’s interesting to note since I started doing this, my novel has changed quite significantly. Most notable is that I completed a first draft last month. If you’ve ever completed a long first draft, then … Read more
This article is by Anne Leonard. A current – and recurring – topic of conversation in the SFF writer/ blogger/ reader community is the lack of people of color (POC) writing and publishing in the field. (This is also an issue in the literary community in general; here’s a recent post on the subject that … Read more
This article is by Steven M. Long. Everybody outlines. The second a writer imagines one scene following another, that writer is creating an outline, even if the outline is incomplete and only in their head. Referring to a novel writer as an “outliner” usually indicates someone who feels more comfortable with and sees the benefits … Read more
Writing a query letter is akin to going to a job interview. It’s your first chance to make an impression, and often times, it’s also your last. It’s this philosophy, coupled with my experience as a recruiter, that leads me to want to put my best foot forward, knowing that I may never get another … Read more
The mysterious founder of Mythic Scribes, Dr. Antonio del Drago, is a mystery no longer. He was recently interviewed by our good friends at The Roundtable Podcast. For those who aren’t familiar with it, The Roundtable Podcast is one of the best podcasts for writers, and is a finalist for the 2012 Parsec Awards. Every … Read more
When it comes to writing, I like to say that there are no rules. However, that is not entirely accurate. There is one rule: Use What Works Weren’t you listening? One rule! That’s it! This is a pretty obvious rule, assuming your goal is to write something that other people want to read. If that … Read more
One of the fundamental challenges confronting every writer is “finding their voice”, their unique expression in the field or medium in which they’ve chosen to express themselves. When Alasdair Stuart – editor of The Hub e-zine and host of the horror podcast Pseudopod – was asked to identify the quality that defines the stories he’s … Read more
When sitting down to plan a story, I focus my attention on developing memorable heroes and horrendous villains, constructing epic settings filled with ancient magic, and crafting plots with satisfying endings. But what’s lacking is anything connected to the piece of advice that I’ve heard repeatedly: Write what you know. These words, which I’ve been told … Read more
It’s hard to know how to get started as a writer. Should you write short stories or a novel? Should you stick with one genre, or try several? Should you get an agent and submit to traditional publishers, or try the self-publishing route? The answers to those questions depend entirely on what you want. A … Read more