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Kelly Turner's avatar

I get some of my best tips second hand. A friend took a class in which Allison K Williams said, “give someone page 51 of your manuscript. If they know what’s going on, you don’t need the first 50 pages.” I think she’s probably right. So far it takes me to about draft 4 to see it at play in my own work.

I’m on exercise 16 of Donald Maass’ Breakout Novel Workbook. I keep telling people it’s like taking my novel to therapy. He’s forcing me to make characters experience the consequences of their baggage and take away their back-up options. Thank god there’s a ‘note’ at the end of Exercise 16 that says, “listen, if it seems like your novel has come unraveled- don’t worry! It’s gonna be fine.” I found this reassuring.

I dedicated my Friday evening reading binge to The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Time spent in good company! Well done. 🐶🐾

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Richard Donnelly's avatar

Strong characters create the most tension. Something's always gonna happen. I want to know why

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