I am knee deep in “editland” – getting my MS ready for publication so apologies that the blog has taken a back seat. I genuinely regret this as it has always given me a buzz, sharing tips along the way – this incredible road that I like to call “long and winding…with speed bumps!” So I’ve decided while I’m short of time for full-on blogging, I am, for now, going to share micro-blogs of “headline tips” which come to mind as I edit. As well as working on RECIPES FOR MELISSA which is due out in the Spring, I’ve also been re-reading an early draft of the MS for my second book THE SEARCH. Doing so makes me smile as it reminds me how much I have learned! Cue my first 2015 headline tip… Don’t crowd the stage!! By that I mean be careful not to have too many characters and too many sub plots, all vying for attention. When I first started writing fiction , I made this mistake as I was trying to figure out how to fill a whole novel. It took me a while to realise that what you actually need to do is not scatter gun more characters and more strands but instead dig deeper with fewer characters and strands that genuinely interact or play to the theme. Novels need minor characters too , of course. And sub plots. But you need to be careful that you don’t let them get too big for their boots. I had a weakness for this in my early writing and I’m very conscious of it now. So, I repeat. Don’t crowd the stage. Try to opt for fewer key characters and DIG DEEP. Hope this helps. Here’s wishing you a wonderful and productive 2015. Now….toodle pip. It’s straight back to the edit!! Comments are closed.
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AuthorTeresa Driscoll - journalist, author, mother of two and lover of great coffee. CATEGORIEsArchives
February 2024
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