
A comprehensive list to help you navigate a book deal.
Questions to Ask Your Publisher Before You Sign the Contract :: Jane Friedman
“[The climax is] when the most exciting moment happens, it’s the apex of tension. But there’s another key way I’d think about it that will help you unlock the best climax possible: It’s the moment your protagonist either does or doesn’t get what they want.”
The climax should resolve your character’s desires :: Nathan Bransford
“Dumping in swaths of a character’s backstory can stall momentum and yank readers out of the story. Instead, look for ways to weave this essential context in amid the forward motion of the scene.”
How to Weave in Backstory Without Stalling out Your Story :: Writer Unboxed
“If you are having trouble getting the words down, I encourage you to take a look at your schedule and routines. Are you simply lacking motivation? Will a deadline or bribe help you get your butt in the chair? Or is something deeper and more complex siphoning energy from your craft? Are your priorities in the right place? If not, what changes can you make that will bring you better balance?”
How Setting Deadlines and Constantly Reevaluating Priorities Can Keep You Motivated :: Erin Bowman
“But the thing is, good writing means not holding back. It means pushing your characters to the extreme — not just that one time for that one big moment, but at every chance you reasonably can.”
Never Save the Best for Last When it Comes to Writing by Beth Revis :: Medium
From an MFA syllabus at the University of Florida.
Brave wild failure is applauded :: Austin Kleon
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