Does your opening line draw the reader in?
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I can usually tell by reading the first paragraph of a book whether or not I’m going to finish it. I call it my “test.” It gives me a good idea of whether or not I should buy something at the bookstore or borrow it from the library. My attitude is something like, “If you can’t hook me in with 50 words, how are you going to hook me in with 50,000?” So if it doesn’t “have me” (whatever that means) within the first page, it’s time to not buy it, put it back on the shelf, push the spine back in line with other unloved books, and walk away. Read more ›

With election season upon us, we’re all hearing plenty of arguments from people trying to convince us of one thing or another, throwing out all sorts of statements (from facts to half-truths to, well, flat-out lies) in an effort to get us to vote for them or their chosen candidate. I’m certainly not going to wade into politics here, but I am a big fan of truth and logic, and both of those things can be powerful weapons when you’re trying to make an argument, whether it’s in a speech at a campaign rally or in a persuasive essay. The enemy of both truth and logic is the logical fallacy. Read more ›

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When you sit down to create any new piece of prose, one of the things you’ll need to consider before you start typing or scribbling is what point of view you’ll use. What perspective should you tell this story from, and which pronouns will you then be using throughout the piece? Your decision will have a major impact on the reader’s experience with your writing. First, let’s consider the options. Read more ›

If you don’t use it, you lose it: That’s the case with your muscles, and it’s also the case with your creativity. The brain is like a muscle that should be stretched and exercised every once in a while. If you’re stuck in a rut while working on your next piece of fiction, try some of these methods to flex your creativity, stretch your mind, and come up with something fun and exciting to write. Read more ›

I have come to believe quite firmly that the concept of “brand voice” is a myth.

Or at least, it’s a myth for about 90% of brands.

Here’s the thing: I’ve been listening to too much Brooks Landon. His discussions on words like “propositions,” “sentences,” and, most importantly, the frustratingly difficult-to-define word “style” have led me to consider more carefully what companies mean when they talk about their so-called “brand voice.”

And I came to the abrupt realization that most people don’t know what they’re talking about. Read more ›