I've decided to begin by posting a slightly edited version of something I previously published on my Chronicles Network forum, simply because the topic is of absorbing interest to me, and I would like to see the discussion revived. Perhaps, too, it will receive a little more exposure here.

And so ...

ON THE SAD IMPOVERISHMENT AND THE THREATENED DEMISE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

I was recently poking around a website I sometimes visit, and I came across a thread...

After neglecting this blog for quite some time, I hope from this point on to be posting articles on a regular basis — every week, if possible — on a variety of topics related to writing. Since this is my blog rather than a general discussion thread (although I welcome comments and questions!), it's likely that my opinions will be stated a bit more ... emphatically. Yes, that's the word. Emphatic.

Next week's topic will be "Taming the Wild Synopsis," but...

And as promised, this week's topic is how to write an amazing synopsis. Some of this will be familiar to those of who have read my comments elsewhere on this same topic, some of this may be new to you.

Taming the Wild Synopsis

For many new writers in the process of preparing to submit a first novel to agents or editors, the very idea of writing a synopsis sends them into a panic. They have been told so many times how much depends on it, how difficult it...

Instead of the entry I was planning to post this time, I've decided to post this one instead because it seems more timely in terms of discussions taking place on the forums. (Weekly posts are beginning to be too much, so I'll probably be adding something every 10-14 days.)

REVISIONS
How to Handle them and Still Retain Your Sanity

Part I

Some writers love doing revisions. Now that they have taken care of the basics they can have fun filling...

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Part II

Plot Holes

You can’t fix plot holes by patching them; you do so by weaving loose threads back in. A plot hole occurs when there is something you haven’t thought out sufficiently, usually something much earlier in the story. Patching on new characters or situations to fix it rarely works, as the hole in the fabric of the story is still there under the patch, and discerning readers will detect it despite your best efforts at disguise....