Comedy has long claimed the phrase ‘timing is everything’, but the same applies to almost every facet of a novel. Broad strokes of this rule come into play with things like timing a book launch to cash in on Father’s Day or Christmas gift buying seasons, but that’s PR department stuff. Timing is everything when …
Category Archive: Novel Writing
Subjective views on how I approach different aspects of writing. How-to guides and theories are also included.
Permanent link to this article: http://novelgrind.com/novel-writing/timing/
Apr 04
Story versus Plot
I’m a big believer in plot, but often I read books that only have a story. Sometimes this is enough. For short stories, fables and even some films, all you need is a story that allows you to properly present an interesting character and let it blossom into something that people ‘click’ with. It doesn’t …
Permanent link to this article: http://novelgrind.com/novel-writing/story-versus-plot/
Mar 26
Your hero is only as good as the villain is bad
Quite by accident, I stumbled upon yet another way to make the antagonist of my novel series even more of a bastard. This is important to me; that he is presented as the best type of villain – the cold and calculating, hands-on, go-getter type of alpha male. He’s self-righteous and completely convinced of his …
Permanent link to this article: http://novelgrind.com/novel-writing/hero-good-villain-bad/
Mar 20
Where to find inspiration
I’ve been to a few writer’s festivals. I’ve sat in on author Q and A sessions. I’ve even helped host a few online chats between Matthew Reilly and his fans. Throughout all this, one question is by far the most asked – particularly by budding authors of their idols: Where do you get your inspiration? …
Permanent link to this article: http://novelgrind.com/novel-writing/find-inspiration/
Mar 05
Welcome to Novelgrind
Novelgrind is here both as a resource for writers new to the craft, and as a personal journal about the challenges I face as I develop a five-book novel series targeted at young adults aged anywhere between 12 and 18 (depending on their reading level). Articles will include updates on my progress (or lack thereof), subjective …
Permanent link to this article: http://novelgrind.com/uncategorized/welcome-to-novelgrind/