Starlog

  • 250 Word Entry Submitted!

    Thanks to everyone who read and commented on my first 250 words. I just submitted, with 15 minutes to spare (my time — I could have taken two more hours with the time-zone thing) The great thing about these contests is not the prizes, or winning or losing. It’s getting out there and reading other… Read more

  • First 250 Word Contest Entry

    Here is my tentative entry for the Brenda Drake YA Writing Contest.  For details, click here. (It’s not to late to join in!) This is the current draft of the first 250 words of my Sci-Fi / Fantasy novel HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated before I submit my entry on September 23rd.… Read more

  • Lesson Five from the Gold Mine Manuscript Red Line: Let’s keep it in the past

    For an intro into where these tips are coming from, please see my post: A Full Manuscript Rejection, or a Gold Mine? I suppose this doesn’t work for those of you who are trying to write your novel in the present tense.  If you are, personally I have to ask you to stop.  Yes, okay,… Read more

  • YA First 250 Words Writing Contest

    Here’s a simple YA writing contest for anyone who wants to get their feet wet in the contest world.  If you haven’t done a contest yet, I highly recommend these blog-based contests.  These are easy to join.  The prizes are not huge, but the experience is great.  It gives you a push, and I actually got some… Read more

  • Lesson Four from the Gold Mine Manuscript Red Line: And Then there was a Conjunction, or Was There?

    For an intro into where these tips are coming from, please see my post: A Full Manuscript Rejection, or a Gold Mine? Originally, I was going to skip over this, because I thought it seemed a little obvious.  But then I thought, maybe not. This publisher simply hated the idea of “and then”.  They said:… Read more

  • Lesson Three from the Gold Mine Manuscript Red Line: Action Action, where is the Action?

    For an intro into where these tips are coming from, please see my post: A Full Manuscript Rejection, or a Gold Mine ? I’ve heard contradicting opinions on this.  Some people say exposition is important.  Some people say don’t start right out with action because you don’t have a character basis of who to “root for” yet. … Read more