Writing a book is on the bucket list of millions of people worldwide, but very few actually finish their book or manage to fulfill other writing dreams such as making a living as a writer. Many writers fail because they don't know how to set effective writing goals and how to develop an action plan that will turn their dreams into reality. Whether you are a complete newbie just thinking about writing your first book or a multi-published author dreaming of becoming a full-time writer or som...

Show, don't tell is probably the single most-important piece of advice given to writers. But many writers struggle to understand this powerful principle or have difficulty applying it to their own work. Even experienced authors sometimes don't grasp the finer nuances of showing and telling. In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to show you how to show and tell you when to tell. Each chapter includes concrete examples and exercises that wi...

In the digital age, publishing a book is easier than ever, but finding the time to write a book is becoming harder and harder. With day jobs, family obligations, household chores, and hobbies, many writers struggle to get any writing done. At the same time, publishers and readers expect writers to publish multiple books every year and to somehow find enough time to market their books through blogging, social media, and networking. If you are struggling to find enough time to write or don't...

The beginning is the most important part of your book. The first chapter—probably even the first page—is what makes agents and editors accept or reject a manuscript, and it's what makes readers decide to buy a book or pick another. But writing a compelling opening is hard because there are so many things a great beginning needs to do and so many mistakes to avoid. In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and best-selling author to teach you where to start your novel,...

Point of view (POV) is the most powerful tool in a writer's kit, but it's also the hardest to master.In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to teach you how to handle point of view in a way that will make your readers identify with your main character, draw them into the story, and keep them captivated until the very last page.The book provides concrete examples and exercises that will hone your writing ski...

The beginning is the most important part of your book. The first chapter—probably even the first page—is what makes agents and editors accept or reject a manuscript, and it's what makes readers decide to buy a book or pick another. But writing a compelling opening is hard because there are so many things a great beginning needs to do and so many mistakes to avoid.In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and best-selling author to teach you where to start your...

Show, don't tell is probably the single most-important piece of advice given to writers. But many writers struggle to understand this powerful principle or have difficulty applying it to their own work. Even experienced authors sometimes don't grasp the finer nuances of showing and telling.In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to show you how to show and tell you when to tell.Each chapter includes concrete examples and exe...

Point of view (POV) is one of the most powerful tools in a writer's kit, but it's also one of the hardest to understand and master.In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to teach you how to handle point of view in a way that will make your readers identify with your main character, draw them into the story, and keep them captivated until the very last page.The book provides concrete examples and exercises that will hone you...

Become a revision-savvy writer with the help of The Editor's Lexicon: Essential Writing Terms for Novelists. It decodes, defines, and provides helpful examples of the editorial jargon used in writing workshops, critiques, and online forums. Written by an experienced editor and writing teacher, this dictionary-style reference book is a fundamental guide for writers across the spectrum of experience--from new writers learning the craft, to seasoned nonfiction writers working on a first novel...

Three bestselling writing resources in one set!Experienced fiction editor Marcy Kennedy’s has put three of her popular Busy Writer’s Guides together. Dialogue, point of view, and description are foundational skills you need to master to create vivid fiction that balances your character’s internal life with the external story world in a way that keeps readers turning pages.The books in this set put writing craft techniques into plain language alongside examples so y...

Do you struggle with show, don't tell? You don't have to.Award-winning author Janice Hardy (and founder of the popular writing site, Fiction University) takes you deep into one of the most frustrating aspects of writing--showing, and not telling. She'll help you understand what show, don't tell means, teach you how to spot told prose in your writing, and reveal why common advice on how to fix it doesn't always work.With in-depth analysis, Understanding ...

The definitive guide to writing scenes--now revised and expanded!Scenes are the building blocks for any work of fiction--the DNA sequence that makes a novel un-put-downable and unforgettable. When writers are able to craft effective, engaging scenes, they can develop a complete, cohesive story--and a mesmerizing experience for readers.Make a Scene Revised and Expanded Edition takes you step-by-step through the elements of strong scene construction ...