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Ten Common Author Mistakes. #2

By on July 21, 2011 in Author Mistakes, Editing Basics, Rachel Hauck

Last week I started this perilous journey. Talking about author mistakes. I hate to even start down this road. Author mistakes? Really? Is there such a thing? I read all kinds of books that defy craft rules and guidelines. They sell well. They win awards. But for new authors, it’s really important to watch a few key things, to watch the writing pitfalls we easily fall into. I found this web site talking about author mistakes, but the author talks about small things that can easily be overlooked and fixed. An editor probably won’t reject a manuscript for most of these reasons. Nevertheless, the site highlights good things to be on guard for as you write. If you Google “author mistakes” you’ll find a plethora of sites. The first of July, I […]

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More Tricks to writing suspense!

By on July 19, 2011 in Suspense, Tricks

I love it when I’m reading a book and I look over at the clock and see 2 am. Because clearly I haven’t been able to put down the book.  why? The chapters won’t let me! The author has effectively raised new stakes, a new dilemma and left in the middle of the scene, so the reader is compelled to turn the page.  And stay up reading all night. The Key to keeping the reader turning the pages is to… L- Leave them Hanging. In other words…don’t finish the scene.  One of the biggest mistakes I did in the early days of writing my suspense novel, In Sheep’s Clothing, is that I wrapped up every scene neatly before I moved to the next. My characters completed their tasks and went […]

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Suspense Tricks – how to keep your reader on the edge of their seat!

By on July 18, 2011 in Suspense, Tricks

So you have plotted your 3 ACTs of your suspense, understanding the elements of the external and internal journey.  But a suspense is different than other novels. It contains elements that guarantee an adrenaline laced rush that drives you through the novel. I have written thirty novels, most of which have elements of suspense.  My thriller, In Sheep’s Clothing, was a Christy Award finalist, and won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award.  Recently, I had three Love Inspired Suspense come out – one of them stayed at under 7K in Amazon for three weeks. I love suspense…because a suspense contains what I call…The GLOW. The glow is simply that sense that a reader has when they love a book and can’t wait to tell others.  It’s that groggy, “Oh, I stayed […]

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Ten Common Author Mistakes. #1

By on July 14, 2011 in Author Mistakes, Editing Basics, Story Crafting

I hate to even start down this road. Author mistakes? Really? Is there such a thing? I read all kinds of books that defy craft rules and guidelines. They sell well. They win awards. But for new authors, it’s really important to watch a few key things. Writing pitfalls we easily fall into. I found this web site talking about author mistakes, but the author talks about small things that can easily be overlooked and fixed. An editor probably won’t reject a manuscript for most of these reasons. Nevertheless, the site highlights good things to watch. If you Google “author mistakes” you’ll find a plethora of sites. Last weekend I taught at the Minnesota NICE  ACFW chapter’s retreat. I went through the “ten common mistakes” from a craft point of […]

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