The Pros and Cons of Writing Groups

by Meredith Cole Writers can only scribble (or type) away in their dark corner for so long. Eventually someone needs… Read more The Pros and Cons of Writing Groups

Writing the Perfect First Line

by Meredith Cole When I was a kid, we used to play a game with the first and last lines… Read more Writing the Perfect First Line

by Meredith Cole Plan ahead, that’s my motto. I like lists. I like maps. I like to use a recipe.… Read more Using an Outline to Plan Your Story

by Meredith Cole Once upon a time I tried all three techniques. I find that I rely on my muse… Read more Using a Quota to Get Through the First Draft

by Meredith Cole Some characters come named–just like that. There’s no stress or worry. You know their name just as… Read more Naming Characters

by Meredith Cole For every rule, there is an exception to that rule. But rules are useful for beginning writers.… Read more Writing What You Know

by Meredith Cole I’m a firm believer that your favorite person in the story should be the your main character.… Read more Writing Characters

by Meredith Cole The writing process can be summed up like this for me: Attempt to roughly flesh out and… Read more How to Revise Your Work

by Meredith Cole We had freezing rain on Sunday here in Virginia and there was major panic from my fellow… Read more Revising Your Book

by Meredith Cole There’s too much going on in my life and there are too many things competing for my… Read more Propelling Your Writing with Deadlines