Monthly Archives: September 2009

Pace: dialogue, action, narrative

Dialogue is when the characters speak. Action is when the characters do things. Narrative is when it’s neither dialogue nor action–maybe it’s description, maybe it’s backstory, or maybe it’s just a long passage of the narrator’s thoughts.  It’s those parts you start to skim. All three are critical to the story and all three can [...]

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Asimov, the man

As you’ve probably figured out, we named our Irish Setter puppy after Isaac Asimov, the prolific science fiction writer. It’s not just because I enjoy his works either–and I do, let me tell you.  Robot series and Foundation series, amazing.  I also really admire the man, though.  Listen: He wrote or edited over 500 books. [...]

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Plots and Doorways

I thought I’d discuss the key points of the plot today (instead of writing, like I should be doing): Inciting Incident Plot Point 1 Midpoint Plot Point 3 Black Moment Resolution I suggested this book earlier, and I’ll do it again: Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. Inciting incident There’s no [...]

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Conflict with Mary's Lamb

What is is that makes the reader keep turning pages?  What keeps the story interesting? Just think of Jerry Springer.  We’ve all watched the show and thought, “Damn, those are some effed up people.”  But we keep watching–especially when the fights break out. It’s all about the conflict, baby.

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    Hi! I'm Susan Dennard. I'm a reader, writer, animal-lover, and cookie-eater. My debut novel, Something Strange and Deadly, will be available in July 2012!

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