Posts Categorized: writing fiction

How Emotional Intelligence Helps You Enjoy Good Fiction

  Did you know that emotional intelligence is directly linked to personal and professional success? Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the way we perceive and cope with the emotions of others and ourselves. In other words, it improves a person’s social effectiveness. Individuals with high EI are more self-aware than others and report a higher… Continue Reading How Emotional Intelligence Helps You Enjoy Good Fiction »

Read More

Things To Know About Chapter Length in Your Novel

Chapter length crime novels

Many fiction writers (especially early on in their careers) seem to agonize over chapter lengths. How long should each chapter run? Can I get away with a one-page chapter, or with a very lengthy one? I’m here to alleviate your fears and concerns by letting you in on a secret: there isn’t a perfect chapter… Continue Reading Things To Know About Chapter Length in Your Novel »

Read More

On JK Rowling, Pen Names, and Co-Authoring Books

JK Rowling - The Cuckoo’s Calling

All the controversy and hand wringing surrounding the JK Rowling pen name debacle got me to thinking about pen names. Did you realize that even before Rowling wrote The Cuckoo’s Calling as Robert Galbraith, she used a pen name? According to her website, her official name is Joanne Rowling, but she chose to write under… Continue Reading On JK Rowling, Pen Names, and Co-Authoring Books »

Read More

Sex, Crime, and Writing Great Fiction

Sex, Crime, and Writing Great Fiction

I’ve written before about sex and violence in crime fiction, but this post isn’t about that…exactly. This time I want to write about how you can spot any number of “crimes” and “sexual indiscretions” by simply observing the happenings around you and in your community. If you take note of what you witness (i.e. write… Continue Reading Sex, Crime, and Writing Great Fiction »

Read More

The 10 Commandments of Transition

The 10 Commandments of Transition

Given the changes in my own life, I’m always interested in transitions, especially when unplanned and unexpected, and how others deal with them. Coping with life transitions in a healthy way can make all the difference in a person’s quality of life and potential for future success. Depending upon your point-of-view, transitions can become more… Continue Reading The 10 Commandments of Transition »

Read More

Everybody Talks – How to Write Convincing Dialogue

The difference between good dialogue and bad dialogue can mean the success or failure of a work of fiction. Whether you’re writing novels, short stories, a script or screenplay, convincing dialogue represents one of the biggest challenges for a writer. For readers, good dialogue contributes greatly to the overall reading experience. Bad dialogue? Well, you… Continue Reading Everybody Talks – How to Write Convincing Dialogue »

Read More

That Novel Won’t Write Itself – Writing to Finish

It took me 10 years to finish writing the first of my many crime novels. I like to say that I was a ten-year overnight success. I started writing Motion to Kill while still practicing law. Read about the serendipitous bit of conversation with one of my partners that got me to thinking about writing… Continue Reading That Novel Won’t Write Itself – Writing to Finish »

Read More