As writers, we should never stop learning the craft. The more we write, the more we learn. I’m very fortunate to work with a brilliant editor who sees the art beneath all my mistakes and gently guides me in the right direction. Haven recently rewritten a book with my editors guidance, here are three things I’ve added to my arsenal. Dialog. Yes, of course, I’ve always used dialog. I consider it one of the most important factors of fiction writing, but dialog must count. In 2008, I honed the idea that dialog creates momentum, moves the story forward. Don’t slow it down with paragraphs of description or internal thought. Keep action tags and speaker attributes behind the dialog as much as possible. Of course, the “rule” can be bent, but […]
Read the Rest
About Susan May Warren
Former Russian Missionary Susan May Warren is the best-selling author of more than 40 novels and novellas with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill, and Summerside. A Christy award and RITA winner, and multiple finalist for the RITA, Christy and winner of Inspirational Readers Choice contest, Susan currently has over a million books in print. A seasoned women’s events speaker and writing teacher, she is the founder of http://www.mybooktherapy.com an online community for writers, and runs a fiction editing service teaching writers how to tell a great story. Visit her online at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com.Author Archive | Susan May Warren
Just for fun….
So, we’re working on some fun stuff over here at MBT…we’ll reveal that later in the week. It’s going to be interactive and packed with great information about how to write a great book! For now, here is a fun email I received from a friend! NEW WORD WINNERS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST Washington Post’s Mensa Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. The winners are: 1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with. 4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly. 5. Bozone (n..): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, […]
Read the RestMerry Christmas!
Susan and I want to wish all of you a very, merry Christmas. We’ve had a blast doing the blog this past year and meeting with many of you at conferences, or chatting in email. Your individual notes and comments to us have been a great encouragement. Those who have been clients, we do appreciate you and pray good things for you writing! For everyone’s writing. The publishing industry may be making changes as the economy quakes, but our God is not surprised or caught off guard. He’s well aware and even better, in control. We cannot judge our publishing success or opportunities by the world, but by Him. He can make a road way in the wilderness, a river in the desert. Keep your heart and mind on Him, […]
Read the RestStrengthening a scene vs. rearranging words?
Now, what is the difference between strengthening a scene and re-arranging the words? Strengthening a scene is discovering the emotional significance to the scene, the way it will affect the overall book, and milking it for the reader. Using setting and dialogue and body language and disappointment and WORDS to cut to the heart of a character. Let’s take a look at the editing process in an actual scene. Below are three excerpts…the original, the edit, and the final product. See if you can see how I applied my editing checklist to strengthen the scene. This is the prologue from In Sheep’s Clothing. Prologue Five more minutes and she would be safe. Gracie Benson hunched her shoulders and pulled the woolly brown scarf over her […]
Read the Rest
