My Blog
Direct Thought vs. Interiority: Getting Inside Your Character’s Mind
One of my subscribers told me they’d been trying to find more info/tips/examples on writing good interiority. They asked if “using direct thought is OK, or if it’s better to lean into interiority instead”. It’s a simple question with a complex answer — because the...
Front-loading Backstory: Opening Pages Shouldn’t Read Like a Wikipedia Entry
Yes, it’s another submission-inspired article. I’ve recently written about cutting clutter and tight writing. It seems I have to back up and illustrate what clutter and loose writing looks like. Tell me if this sounds familiar: Sarah Williams was a...
Tight Writing: The Art of Word Choice
Last time, we talked about cutting clutter—stripping away the unnecessary words that bog down your prose. But once you've cleared the excess, what remains needs to carry its weight. Readers might forgive a slow first chapter or even a shaky plot turn, but flat writing...
Less Is More: An Agent’s Case for Cutting the Clutter
Every week, I receive dozens of queries where talented authors bury brilliant ideas under superfluous words, believing more words equal more impact, style or literary weight. Most often, more words are usually… just more words. I’ve found the most enjoyable...
The Ticking Clock: Going Beyond Thrillers
I seem to be on a plot device kick lately, so I’m just going with it. Picture this: Your protagonist has twenty-four hours to save their marriage, or one summer to reconnect with their estranged father. Suddenly, every choice matters. Every conversation carries...
Scene-Setting or Inventory List? An Agent’s Take on Excessive Description
Every week, I read manuscripts that treat description like an inventory list. The intent is to ensure I see everything in vivid detail. Except, I don't need to see everything. I only need to see what matters. Most of these efforts are an attempt to “set the scene”. I...
Revenge Isn’t a Stake—It’s a Symptom: Why Stakes Matter More than Motive
During a critique I asked the writer: What’s at stake for your protagonist? What can’t they walk away from without devastating consequences? Their answer: revenge. Writers love revenge. It’s clean. It’s urgent. It’s fun to write. Someone did something awful, and now...
The Platform Paradox: What Authors Need to Know to Sell Books
Fiction authors don’t need a platform—until they do. You've heard it before: Fiction writers don't need a platform. It's repeated constantly. You’re told: Craft is king. Story is everything. Platform is for non-fiction authors. This advice isn't technically wrong—but...
Plot Twist or Cheap Trick: When Technique Replaces Purpose
Most writers obsess over having the perfect hook. Whether it’s a killer first line, or premise that immediately sucks the reader in. A solid hook is great, but if there’s no story behind it, you won’t keep the reader engaged for long. You've probably heard agent...
The REAL Truth About Agents at Writing Conferences
There's a persistent misconception in the writing community that literary agents who participate in conferences, pitch events, and workshops are somehow running a scam. That the presence of agents at these events is “shady” and the events themselves are predatory....