Tag: literary agents
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How to Keep Readers Turning Pages: 3 Things You Must Do
Q: I’ve got a basic plot planned out for my novel, but I’m worried about being repetitive, because the story is about doing the same thing several times (the main character has a list of people he needs to “off”). Do you know of any way to pull off a plot like that without boring…
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Bronte Sisters Power Dolls
Writing a book is serious work. Literary icons with kung-fu action grip… not so serious. Enjoy! P.S. You can also watch the Bronte Sisters Power Dolls here.
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Instant Plot: How to Plan Out Your Novel the Easy Way
Do you love free stuff? Do you love to write? Me too! That’s why I’m teaching an absolutely free writing class this Saturday. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.
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Kill Your Laptop: Extreme Ways to Finish Your Novel
I get a lot of emails from writers who think they’re suffering from writer’s block. But are they? See if this sounds familiar to you: “I keep going back to fix things.” “Sometimes, I hate the words I just wrote.” “When I watch what I’m typing, I write much cleaner sentences with less typos, but…
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Don’t Make This Legal Mistake in Your Novel
Q: Is it legal to write a novel based on a true story, and use the real names of the people involved? A: Yes, but it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth. Since I’m not a lawyer, none of this is legal advice of any kind, FYI. But here’s what you’re up against: Writing about…
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The #1 Writing Secret Every Writer Should Know
Q: Hi! I’m currently writing a book, and I want to get it published, but I’m in high school and that makes things a lot harder. Could you please explain the basic process of how it would get published? A: I’m so glad you enjoy writing! I started writing short stories when I was 16,…
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How to Write Foreign Languages in Your Novel
Let’s face it, foreign words are cool. They can make your characters sound smarter, make exotic settings feel more authentic and even increase the dramatic tension in a scene. But before you start sprinkling a certain je ne sais quoi into your prose, take these steps to make sure your reader doesn’t get lost in…
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5 Mistakes First-Time Writers Make
This past month I’ve gotten inspiring emails from all sorts of new writers, from high school students to retirees. One thing is clear: you’re never too old (or too young) to write a novel. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book — and who hasn’t? — remind yourself that the best day to start…
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Get Readers Talking with the Hey Mabel Effect
Your book can live or die in seconds. Years ago, I used to be among the people who chose its fate on a daily basis, and by doing just one single thing, I could make someone 60% more likely to buy your book. In a moment, I’ll tell you what that one thing is —…
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Romance Writers: Break Through Writer’s Block
Q: I read an article that you wrote for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers about beating writer’s block and I have a follow-up question. You start out by determining who the story is about, but in your article it’s only about one protagonist. My novel has strong romantic elements so it’s really about two people…
LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON 