Starlog

  • What’s the Funniest Thing You’ve Found When You’ve Editied Your Manuscript?

    Manuscript bloopers. Aren’t they a gas?  I sometimes look forward to that first read-through after I’ve finished a novel, just to see the funny things I accidentally typed. What’s even better is when I completely read over them and send the novel out to beta. Boy do my beta-partners get a blast out of that!… Read more

  • An Example of Nailing the Setting

    I recently picked up a historical novella to clear my head between longer novels.  Terri Rochenski wrote a short story in the Make Believe anthology that I really enjoyed, so I reached for her newest work “Alone No More”. From the title, you get the gist.  Our MC is alone in love, and at the… Read more

  • Simple Rules to Writing a Great Novel

    For the past 32 weeks, we’ve been discussing Guthrie’s 32 Rules to Writing A Great Novel.  Here is a handy-dandy list of all the articles and links to them, all in one place. This is a great time to review, especially if you are editing your manuscript. Please let me know which one you found… Read more

  • The Little Blue Lady Makes Chocolate Mousse

    Ding Dong Hello? Who Are you? Hi! I’m Darlene Fredette. I’m here to cook. . Cook? I don’t cook. I’m an alien. Oh, and I interview people. Yeah, but interviews are so Fourth of July.  Christmas is coming. Nobody wants to read an interview while you’re rushing about with Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, and baking… Read more

  • Forget about it! — Rule #32 of 32 Simple Rules to the Writing the Best Novel Ever

    I’m dissecting the article Hunting Down the Pleonasm, by Allen Guthrie, using it as a cattle prod to search for little nasties in my manuscript.  Yep, you can join in the fun, too.  Let’s take a looksee at topic #32 32: If something works, forget about the rule that says it shouldn’t. When you read long… Read more

  • Write a Story With Me # 73: “What should She Do” by Kate Johnston

    Write a Story with Me is a group endeavor just for the fun of it.  A different writer adds a new 250 words each week.  It is the ultimate Flash Fiction Challenge! If you’d like to sign up, come on over.  There’s always room for more! Here’s this week’s excerpt.  We hope you enjoy! 73… Read more