Writing is a struggle about finding the right word. Or string of words. You need to be able to convey, to describe, to paint, and do it all in as few unnecessary words as possible. Which is a whole lot easier than it sounds, believe me. So I’ve used these two, on occasion – and they do help:

The Wheel of Emotional Description

100 Ways To Say “Said” (and use this one sparingly – “Said” is still the best way to say something, but when you need occasional umph, another word may do better).

Then you have to put the words into some sort of structure. Here are three references that I’ve skimmed and gleaned from and applied in various ways: Continue reading →

This will be the first year I haven’t entered NaNoWriMo in a long, long time. Why? Because a book I started as a NaNo Project finally landed me a bona-fide book deal with a “Big 5” publisher, that’s why – so I am living proof that You. Can. Do. This.

In my resource collection I have a file of stuff I use to motivate me before NaNo starts every year, so I’m going to share them with you:

1. Pixar’s 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling – These are outstanding, and rule #4 is the rough outline for every single book I’ve ever written.
2. Chuck Wendig on How to Push Past the Bullshit and Write That Goddamn Novel
3. 22 Lessons from Stephen King on How to be a Great Writer
4. 10 Writing Tips to Make Your Editor’s Life Easier
5. Joss Whedon: 5 Things Your Script Has to Have (this goes for fiction, too)

Hope those help – and good luck to everyone!

Now here’s my sage advice:

FINISH THAT BOOK. JUST WRITE AND FINISH THAT DAMN BOOK.