So you've decided to take the plunge and start submitting your short stories to publishing markets. But if you don't know how to read submissions calls for short fiction, you're going to have a bad time. One wrong move could spell disaster for your story's chances. Thankfully, it's not hard to learn the lingo and … Continue reading How to Read Submissions Calls for Short Fiction
Are you struggling to learn how to write realistic dialogue? You're not alone. I've read countless manuscripts in which the biggest problem was wooden, stilted, contrived-sounding dialogue. Unrealistic conversations are a great way to tank your fiction and turn it into a real slog to read. Thankfully, I've got three easy steps you can use … Continue reading How to Write Realistic Dialogue: 3 Easy Steps
When you start submitting your short fiction to editors for consideration, the cover letter portion can seem incredibly daunting. What goes into a short story cover letter? And how do you learn to write a short story cover letter that impresses first readers and editors? Let this quick-and-dirty how-to guide be your guide. What Is … Continue reading How to Write an Impressive Short Story Cover Letter
Ever finished a book and wondered how the author managed to pull it off? It's usually because they were working with a great editor. Hiring an editor isn't like pressing the Easy Button, however. Self-editing your fiction is an invaluable part of the writing process, one that too many aspiring authors are quick to skip … Continue reading How to Self-Edit Your Fiction: 3 Issues to Tackle First
Writing better dialogue doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, you can probably improve upon the dialogue you've already written, no matter how bad it is. Here's a handy cheat sheet to help you spot the signs that your dialogue needs work and write better conversations between your characters. How to Write Better Dialogue For … Continue reading How to Write Better Dialogue