On Writing

First lines matter. To write a good beginning, you need to know what your story is really about. That is, your theme.

10 Writing Rules to Live By, according to agent and author Paula Munier

These days, it’s all about The Big Idea. That’s what publishers are looking for. Here’s how to frame your story as a Big Idea.

The first thing agents and editors often ask writers about their work is: How long is it? Answer that question wrong, and you mark yourself an amateur. Here’s how to answer the right way—and fix your story with Paula’s How-to-Cut Formula if it’s too long.

On St. Patrick’s Day, all writers are a wee bit Irish.

Starting a new novel is like planning a war campaign. Strategy is everything.

How do you make more money as an author? Start by knowing how much authors really make.

One of the most common questions I get from aspiring authors is, “Which books on writing should I read?” Here are my favorite books on writing.