Tag: Writing
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The Best Dialogue Tip EVER
This post is part of the Countdown Series on ShariLopatin.com, re-publishing my top “writing tips” blog posts from the past five years. The Countdown Series will culminate in a few weeks with the announcement of my business’ (Shari’s Ink) new arm, which will benefit other WRITERS! Originally published Oct. 6, 2011 I can’t write a story without dialogue. I mean, dialogue brings a…
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Be the Chicken Nugget in a Bag of Vegetables
This post is part of the Countdown Series on ShariLopatin.com, re-publishing my top “writing tips” blog posts from the past five years. The Countdown Series will culminate in a few weeks with the announcement of my business’ (Shari’s Ink) new arm, which will benefit other WRITERS! NOTE: This post was Freshly Pressed! Originally published Jan. 5, 2011 My boyfriend found a chicken nugget in…
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10 Reasons Every Writer Should Keep an Idea Box
This post is part of the Countdown Series on ShariLopatin.com, re-publishing my top “writing tips” blog posts from the past five years. The Countdown Series will culminate in a few weeks with the announcement of my business’ (Shari’s Ink) new arm, which will benefit other WRITERS! Originally published June 1, 2011 How many times have I heard a (professional) writer tell me, “I…
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Are You Writing in Passive Voice? 3 Ways to Know
This post is part of the Countdown Series on ShariLopatin.com, re-publishing my top “writing tips” blog posts from the past five years. The Countdown Series will culminate in a few weeks with the announcement of my business’ (Shari’s Ink) new arm, which will benefit other WRITERS! Originally published Dec. 20, 2010 “Mistakes were made.” Perhaps my all-time favorite politician quote, made famous by…
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How Reading Critically Changed My (Writing) Life
If you’re like me (a writer), you probably love to read. Good books. Not crappy books. Crappy books bore me. They probably bore you, too. Which is why, as a writer, I want to write those good books. You know, the ones everyone can’t stop talking about during lunch in the break room. I want to be that writer.…
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Rolling Stone, Rape, and Journalism
It started off innocent enough. A female college student. An alleged gang rape. A magazine journalist trying to do the right thing. I didn’t read Rolling Stone’s article, “A Rape on Campus,” about an alleged gang rape of a woman named Jackie at a University of Virginia frat house. But for the sake of this…
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5 Literary Agents Who Blog About Query Writing
I hope that someday, when I land a literary agent (and then a publishing contract), I can share with you the magical query letter which sealed the deal. Until then, I can’t tell you if I’m doing things right, but I know five others who can! Before I started writing my novel’s query letter, I…
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Literary Agent Tip #1: DO YOUR RESEARCH
I’ve pitched about 10 literary agents, as of today. Ten. Literary agents. They include the reps for Gillian Flynn, Stephenie Meyer (we both live in Phoenix!), John Green, Dan Brown, and James Dashner. Prepare the automated rejections! But seriously, these folks are top, top grade agents. And why not start with the best? Which leads me to…