So, you’re sitting at your computer (or scribbling in your notebook), and you write the last sentence of the last paragraph on the last page of your story. If you’re like me, after you’ve written those last, glorious words, you take a moment to sit back and revel in how awesome you are. I mean … Read more
Monthly Archives: July 2010
How to Critique: Part Three – Questions
July 26, 2010 – 07:12
I’ve already talked about the process of critiquing, both for general comments and for line edits (You probably want to read How to Critique: Part One and How to Critique: Part Two before you read this post). There are or will be other blog entries by other people on how to write plot or … Read more
How to Critique: Part Two – Line Edits
July 23, 2010 – 07:26
(This is part two of three in my series of blog posts on how to critique. I recommend reading part one before part two. Part one, on general comments, is the post right before this one. It’s called, conveniently, How to Critique: Part One.)
Line edits are slightly more controversial than general comments … Read more
How to Critique: Part One
July 19, 2010 – 07:07
Welcome to the first post in my three-part series on How to Critique!
Now, obviously I am not magically the Best Critiquer Ever Born in the Universe. This is a mix of the stuff that works for me when I’m critiquing and the stuff that I like critiques to do for me. Other critiques … Read more
Writing into Writing: Story Ideas!
July 16, 2010 – 23:35
I believe, at some point, everyone has heard the complaint: “Oh, that would make a good story. I have too many ideas! I can never pick one!” Maybe you’ve even uttered it yourself!
For those that suffer from this affliction, I’m sure it’s a burden. For the rest of us, it’s a source of … Read more
Is your main character useless?
July 12, 2010 – 06:00
Having had occasion to read several stories by beginning writers recently, I noticed a common thread: the supposed protagonists don’t really do anything. Sure, lots of interesting things happen in the main character’s general vicinity, but he or she doesn’t actually affect how events play out. This is usually bad.
Take a look at … Read more
Herbs, herbs, herbs, I’m so sick of herbs….
July 9, 2010 – 19:05
Let’s talk about herbs.
No, let’s talk about some herbs. Not in the basil-mint-dill sense, no. When the woodsman cooks a rabbit, he uses ‘some savory herb’. When your character has a cough, the healer she visits lives in a cottage festooned with ‘some healing herbs’ and gives her ‘some herb’ to help her … Read more
Introducing the Alpha blog
July 7, 2010 – 19:31
Welcome to the official blog of the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers. We have lots of exciting plans for this space:
- Advice on the craft of writing from Alpha alumni and staff
- Alphans’ experiences with the world of SF/F/H, including publishing, conventions, and fandom
- Workshop-related announcements from Alpha staff
