Category: writing craft

Stuck in the Middle With You: Story Structure in Act II

November 15, 2022December 23, 2022 ~ Erin Fulmer ~ 1 Comment

There's no denying that storytelling can get messy in the middle. The middle of a novel may sag or slump, prone to descriptions like soggy, mushy, murky, or muddy. These damp and sticky terms reflect an experience familiar to many a writer. The often arduous process of drafting a story's second act may feel a … Continue reading Stuck in the Middle With You: Story Structure in Act II

Don’t Let Craft Advice Silence Your Authorial Voice

May 30, 2022May 30, 2022 ~ Erin Fulmer ~ 4 Comments

The internet is full of craft advice for writers. Some of it is even good advice. All of it purports to make your writing better, more readable, more relatable, more salable. I’m not talking about grammar advice, like how to punctuate dialogue. That’s a mechanical skill. It’s mostly objective, at least within its specific context … Continue reading Don’t Let Craft Advice Silence Your Authorial Voice

Here Be Dragons: Outlining for Discovery Writers

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 ~ Erin Fulmer ~ 5 Comments

If the prospect of outlining a new project make you want to run away to sea, you’re not alone. While some writers swear by extensive planning, others despise it. And some aspire to plan ahead, but find themselves uninspired by the process. The age-old split between plotters and pantsers may leave many in the latter … Continue reading Here Be Dragons: Outlining for Discovery Writers

Write Deeper: Deep POV, Voice, and Emotion

July 26, 2021November 22, 2021 ~ Erin Fulmer ~ 4 Comments

"I just couldn't connect with your story": it's the death knell of any querying author's hopes and dreams. But what does that mean? How to create that elusive connection? It requires more than a compelling character or intriguing plot. It’s about the why of it all—the emotional core of the story. As with every post … Continue reading Write Deeper: Deep POV, Voice, and Emotion