Domain infos jimvanpelt.livejournal.com

"I learned more from reading slush at the California Quarterly when I was in grad school than in any course I was taking at the time." Useful tips for aspiring writers, via Scalzi wearing hi

Some extremely sound and honest advice about taking a professional approach to writing, be you a professional or not.

"Setting frequently serves at least two functions: it tells the readers where they are, and it reflects the mood of the story or the mood of the character." More sound tips from Jim van Pelt

"When I'm teaching character to students, I tell them they have seven ways to let the reader know who they are dealing with."

"One of the many fascinating aspects of English and writing is that anything that sounds like a rule has exceptions. The only real rule in writing is this: IT HAS TO WORK. If it works, it's good.

"So, if you take that advice seriously and sit down to write before some blinding idea falls on your head from on high, what are you to write about? How should you get started?" Jim van Pelt

"For me, the first sentence has to do three things: hook the reader, set the tone, and set up the end." The insightful Jim van Pelt with more writing tips.

"I think one of the problems beginning story writers have is that the story isn't in their head often enough. It's there (sort of) when they're writing, but not at other times. They haven't devel