One thing editors frequently get after writers about is the use of active vs. passive voice. Everyone faces this critique at times: “Make this sentence more active, will you? It should be snappier,” or “Passive voice bogs down the narrative.” But what exactly is passive voice, and how should you avoid it? First, let’s clear up a common misconception. In […

This year, the Horror Writers Association, of which I’m an Active Member, has asked me to sit on one of the juries for the Bram Stoker Awards. For 2012, I am a juror in the novel category, and I am very excited to peek at the incoming material. http://www.horror.org/blog/?p=2344 About the Bram Stoker Awards Each year, the Horror Writer’s Association […

Some believe in one. Others swear by one. Even the streets are ruled by one. And many die by one. Everyone has a Code—it’s whether they choose to follow it that decides their fate. The Code. A gritty episodic series focusing on law enforcement, mafia, and  the structure and confines we all live in or outside of. Story by: William […

I’ve been thinking a lot about short stories lately, and thought I’d share some of those thoughts here. On paper, short stories look like they should be easy—they’re short, after all. They probably don’t require all the intricate plotting and thought of novels…right? It’s a common misconception that the short story is easy to craft. The reality is quite different. […

One important thing to remember when creating your main character–which in most cases (though not all) turns out to be the hero–is that they need to be real. What I mean by that is creating a character that is believable, despite all of the amazing–if not fictional–acts and accomplishments they achieve over the course of the novel. What does it […

Just last night I was sitting on the couch, reading a few printed-off manuscripts with a mug of tea when my my son’s Miniature Schnauzer hopped onto the couch and onto my lap. I managed to juggle the mug, papers, and the dog long enough to push her off and settle back against the overstuffed cushions. I took a sip, […

Below is a Q&A article on the basics of a synopsis, how to write one, and what editors look for. Any questions, please post! Why do you need to write a synopsis? It provides prospective editors/agents with an overall and detailed summary of your novel, introduces the characters, plot and setting, and gives a brief glimpse at your writing style […

I’ve decided to start an article series focusing on honing your craft as a writer. As a ghostwriter, I get a lot of emails from young and inexperienced writers simply wanting to ask questions about writing in general. Hopefully by starting up this stream of articles I’ll be able to answer most of the common questions I regularly find in […