Passive voice: when someone (or thing) is acted upon (P = passive) by someone (or thing). The man is pushed (P) off the cliff by the Finger in the Sky. The man is the recipient of the action. Active voice: when someone (or thing) acts on (A = active) something else. The Finger... read more
If you write paranormal, fantasy or speculative fiction, you create universes. Universe creating is fun … and challenging. Title image: PBS Nova. I’m about to start the second novel in my shapeshifter Buy Me Love trilogy, so world-building is on my mind. I established the world of the trilogy in... read more
Yes, this is a post on creating a distinctive character voice. But first, take a good look at this: A friend sent me this page from the Amazon 365 New Words-a-Year desk calendar her mother gave her for Christmas. At first I was bewildered to receive such a weird thing until... read more
We’re delighted that Maria Kuznetsova is participating the Five Questions series. She is a talented writer with an exciting debut novel, Oksana, Behave! Maria Kuznetsova: Penguin Books (Random House) is publishing your first novel, Oksana, Behave!, this month. What do you want readers to know about the story? I’d want... read more
Writing is an aerobic activity. To be in writing shape you have to write. You don’t decide to run a 10K then tie on a pair of running shoes and expect to make it to the finish line. You have to train for it. Creativity is a muscle. You have... read more
A beginning writer recently asked me how to create compelling openings, thus prompting this blog. I have chosen to explain what I did to write Chapter One of John Carter’s Conundrum. I chose it because my editor noted at the end of the first chapter: “You’re writing to all your... read more
Writing burnout. It happens. Burnout is beyond block. Writer’s block occurs when a blank wall descends in your brain, and you can’t think of anything to say or write. If there is such a condition, it is a mild one. I’ve gone so far to say that it does not... read more
It is always a pleasure to have talented authors share their work and their process with me and my readers in this Five Questions series. My guest today is poet, essayist, scholar and professor Caroline Hagood. Caroline Hagood: How do you describe your latest work Ways of Looking at a Woman?... read more
Adam Schwartz is Associate Professor of Language, Culture and Society at Oregon State University. He is one of three speakers on the symposium panel “Language Matters” at Duke University on Friday, March 8, 2019. “Language Matters” is in honor of me – yes, me! Hae-Young Kim, Chair of Asian and... read more
Chick-lit Heroine: Her Profile The chick-lit heroine has a recognizable profile. She either possesses a fashion sense. Or she has a bestie who can trick her out when the need arises, namely for a Big Date. She is either serially unlucky in love. Or she has divorced (probably recently) a... read more
