One of my earliest fiction writing lessons was that my characters were like the Brady Bunch. They didn't have to have seven days in their week, nor did they need a bathroom. Or real grass. What I mean is, even though women's fiction encapsulates portions of real life and real emotions, we only need what's pertinent to the characters stories. And we don't miss the rest. So, no flossing unless … [Read more...] about Managing Time in your Novel
Sidekicks, Best Friends and Nosy Neighbors in Women's Fiction
When I think sidekick, I think Robin. As in...Batman and. When I think best friends, I think Monica, Rachel and Phoebe from Friends. When I think nosy neighbor, I think Mrs. Kravetz from Bewitched. These aren't literary examples, but as I contemplate my WIP, I'm focusing on how I portray my main character's posse, the people that surround her, support her, and the ones whom she, in turn, … [Read more...] about Sidekicks, Best Friends and Nosy Neighbors in Women's Fiction
Quirky Characters In Women's Fiction
To me, the sign of good women's fiction is when I finish the book and wish I knew the characters -- quirks and all. When I write I keep that in mind. I think the best way to write a quirky character is to think of her as being transparent to the reader. We know everything about a character the author chooses for us to know -- we write whatever we want our reader to know. And you know what? … [Read more...] about Quirky Characters In Women's Fiction
Girl Crushes — or — Four Women's Fiction Authors I Love And Why
It wasn't too long ago that my IRL BFF listed her girl crushes on Facebook. I don't remember who they were but the likes of Penelope Cruz and Angelina Jolie were on the list, along with funny girls like Kathy Griffin and Tina Fey. Whatever. When someone poses the question "if you could have dinner with anyone in the world, living or dead" I'm ashamed that people like Mother Theresa, Abraham … [Read more...] about Girl Crushes — or — Four Women's Fiction Authors I Love And Why