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Archives for Christmas: How to edit your novel

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We can elbow each other and wink. I guess the world didn’t end after all. Until we remember it did, for some.

Hold your families close this Christmas, folks. Remember how lucky you are.

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This post is a “re-run” to give me time to take in the holidays (still haven’t made those gingerbread men – I’ll let you know). It was originally published January 6, 2012.

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You’re drowning in words. There are a million things wrong with this book. And you’re so busy trying to figure out why page thirty-five sounds so blooming doofy that it’s months before you notice the whole first half of the book drags and your characters are totally flat. Keep reading >>

Archives for Christmas: How to Hang a Lantern

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It’s midnight in Texas. I just got home from the office Christmas party. It was amazing! I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t work at the Balcom Agency. Seriously. I am so lucky.

But as it’s rather late and I’ve had quite a long week, I won’t be catching up with comments and InMon pieces until tomorrow (er, I guess it technically already is tomorrow – in that case, until this afternoon). In the meantime, here’s a post from the archives for the holidays, originally published way back on February 4, 2011.

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To hang a lantern (or “hang a lamp”) is to call attention to an inconsistency in the story by having a character notice the inconsistency. It’s the writer’s way of telling the reader “I did this on purpose; it’s not a mistake.” Keep reading >>

Archives for Christmas: How to get rid of background exposition

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I’m nearly done with my Christmas shopping! Just have to figure out what to get for my parents. Hmmm…

Y’all can still vote for my team’s origami tree (benefitting my local Humane Society) through December 20!

This post is a repeat, since I’m obviously rather busy with other things. ^ It was originally published on October 15, 2011.

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Background exposition. When your characters have enough history to fill another whole book, but you’re not ready to write that book yet (or ever).

It usually looks like this (notice the proliferation of past perfect tense):

Read the rest >>

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What I’ve been doing instead of writing Friday posts (it’s a good cause!)

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Lots of folding.

Lots of folding.

Okay InMonsters and all BeKind readers: I need your help with something and all it takes is a click.

As most of you know, my day job is copywriting at the Balcom Agency in Fort Worth, Texas. This year for Christmas, we broke up into teams to create Christmas trees from found/recycled objects (we couldn’t spend more than $20 on materials). Each team is playing for a charity: the team whose tree gets the most votes gets a check from Balcom for their charity.

My team’s charity is the Humane Society of North Texas. They help animals who are abandoned, injured or mistreated. They also spay and neuter cats and dogs (for free in many circumstances). My team folded more than 300 origami cranes to create our tree (one of the things I’ve been doing instead of writing new Friday posts…sorry). 

All the trees are really cool. You can see them all here (click each picture to see more pictures).

Here’s where you come in.

I’d be ever so grateful if you’d vote for my tree! All you have to do is click: no personal info required!

Shameless plug, I know. But it’s for a good cause and it will only take you a couple of seconds.

Just click here, and then click the big green VOTE button under the origami crane picture in the bottom right-hand corner. Voting once is great – but if you are so inclined, you can vote every day through the end of the contest (and that would be phenomenal).

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Are you doing anything charity-related for the holidays? I’d love to hear about it!

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Holiday Blog Schedule – also, I need your help!

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So…News!
I’m taking a semi-break. From now through the end of the year, I won’t be writing any new Friday posts – instead I’ll be re-posting some of the best articles from the archives. Don’t worry: Inspiration Monday will continue as usual!
I’m just taking this soft sabbatical to keep up with Thanksgiving and Christmas activities (I am determined to watch more Christmas movies and bake at least one batch of gingerbread men this year. Also, I have to fold 100+ origami cranes for a project.), get a little more novel-writing done, and recharge my blogging battery.
You see, I feel a bit wrung out, idea-wise. That’s why I need your help.

Photo by Rennett Stowe

What do you want to read about in 2013?

Do you want to start a community discussion about character development, story morals, suspension of disbelief?
Do you want to learn more about  novel-writing, copywriting/marketing, blogging?
Do you want to ask me about my favorite books and movies? My opinions on the Oxford comma? My ukulele?
Ultimately, what about writing keeps you up at night?
Please, tell me in the comments!
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