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DNA, WJCT, Cat Books, Mysteries, and Memoirs: Vic DiGenti, Author. An Interview.
Vic DiGenti is the award-winning author of six novels and six works of nonfiction. His novels include the Windrusher trilogy....
Jun 23, 20242 min read
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Unlocking the Power of Beta Readers: Your Secret to a Successful Manuscript (Video)
Beta readers are individuals who read an author's manuscript before it is published to provide feedback, critique, and suggestions....
Jun 20, 20241 min read
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Funny quotes about writing that will inspire you to write…or not.
 "Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing....
Jun 17, 20241 min read
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Your Book's First Line
The first line of a novel plays a crucial role in capturing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the entire story.
Jun 16, 20243 min read
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A Podcast. Three narrative devices: the MacGuffin, Red Herring and Cuttlefish.
This is a rerelease podcast that I recorded to explain the three narrative devices often used in thrillers.
Jun 13, 20241 min read
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Wondering how to start your book? Try medias res!
Medias res is a Latin term meaning "in the middle of things." In writing, starting a story in medias res means beginning the narrative in...
Jun 6, 20242 min read
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The Blurb: Tips to Captivate Readers - A Video
What exactly is a blurb? Its purpose?
How do you write an effective blurb for the back of your book cover? Watch this video for answers
Jun 5, 20241 min read
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To epilogue or not to epilogue?
An epilogue is a section at the end of a novel that provides closure to the story beyond the main narrative.
Jun 4, 20243 min read
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Tone: creating mood and influencing readers.
Tone is the writer's attitude towards the subject matter or audience conveyed through their style, language, and overall approach.
Jun 1, 20243 min read
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Understanding Backstory: Prep for Character Development
Character's backstory si the foundational element that shapes his or her identity, motivations, and actions throughout your story.
May 26, 20242 min read
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A Writer’s Life: A Setting Surprise
I remembered visiting a lovely tiny village on the Eastern Shore of Virginia quite a few times in early 2000. This was it! My setting!
May 24, 20243 min read
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Capturing Small-Town Charm: The Intriguing Dynamics of Small-Town Novels
Whether nestled amidst rolling hills or in a flat rural area, small towns embody a unique charm and character that serve as the perfect...
May 22, 20243 min read
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Music for Writing: Attention, Creativity, Motivation, and more.
Music has been found to prompt enhanced activity in the right hemisphere of the brain, a region associated with imagination….
May 16, 20241 min read
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Proust’s Questionnaire – 35 Questions All Your Characters Should Answer
Use Marcel Proust's 35 point questionnaire to develop well-rounded and complex characters for novels.
May 14, 20242 min read
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I LOVE "ING" WORDS - How was I to know they were BAD?
"Ing" words, also known as present participles or gerunds, are words that end in "-ing" and are used to convey continuous or ongoing actions
May 11, 20242 min read
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Archetypes and Characterization
Utilizing archetypes or personas can be a powerful tool for authors to develop rich, multi-dimensional characters that resonate with...
May 7, 20244 min read
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Why Hire an Editor?
On page 13 of his book, "On Writing," Stephen Kings writes: "One rule of the road not directly stated elsewhere in this book: `The...
May 5, 20243 min read
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Hyphens, En Dashes, Em Dashes, and Ellipses
Hyphens, En Dashes, Em Dashes, and Ellipses are all punctuation marks that serve different functions in writing. How they differ and how...
May 2, 20242 min read
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Writer's Block and What To Do about it.
On of the greatest challenges for all novelists is writer’s block. If you are a writer, you probably have experienced this one time or...
Apr 30, 20242 min read
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How long should my book be?
I’m always asked that question. My first answer is exactly how I answered my students in my college writing classes: “As long as it...
Apr 28, 20242 min read
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