The first sentence problem. Advice for the birds.
A great first sentence can, and will, influence how the reader judges your story. Coming up with one can be taxing but it doesn't need to be. Here are few simple ways to approach the construction.
The Grinch who stole my Christmas has a name: Cancer.
For some, the holidays are a lonely time that reminds them of what they have lost. Even though I lost my mother to cancer this year, I did not lose my mind, which almost happened. Death and dying are hard topics to discuss but being prepared eases the difficulty during a traumatic time.
Writing advice: character creation. For the birds.
Creating multi-dimensional characters isn't difficult, but it takes more than just a simple backstory and physical description. There are various, simple techniques in this piece that help you on your way to creating vivid characters who are the engine that drives the plot.
Writing advice: Pacing. For the birds.
Joshua LA Jones imparts some of the writing wisdom he's gained since the early days of his writing career. He covers constructive criticism, scene structure, editing and pacing.
