Dear Dragons,
What has helped you learn what to leave in and what to take out concerning back story, details, and the like?
MG

MOONCHILDA lot of it involves feeding your internal editor. Generally, I try to know as much as I can about a character. Where was she born? What kind of family? What major traumas did she suffer? Decide what the ( Read more... )

As an addendum to the previous question, Gnome left this second scroll outside the lair:

Also, but it is tension-related, but how do you supply interesting action when most of the story is people talking?
Gnome

ORIONDear Gnome, I have ruminated on the question of your second scroll ( Read more... )

From a note left outside our lair:
It's so great to see our scaly friends back again! *Dons fireproof suit*

How do you build tension into a story? Well, say you have three strong characters, and they all have their own sort of story, how do you show these differing story goals and yet keep the tension high ( Read more... )

The Dragons fell through a dimensional portal some time ago. We have fought our way through legions of knights-errant, alien space fleets, killer robots and evil wizards (okay, several dimensional portals) but we are BACK! The lair was fairly well-trashed while we were gone, and DRAGON was distressed to find her treasure hoard sadly reduced. B&G’s ( Read more... )

Question of the...OK, we'll just call it Summer '07

Dragons…
Uh, like, I've written the greatest story evar, and need to send it into all the big pro markets, but I need, like, a cover letter. Not a query letter because those R 4 novels, right? So, what do I, like, put in my cover letter? Should I tell them about the poetry I have posted on my blog ( Read more... )

O Mighty Dragons:

Scared as I am to approach you, I’m even more scared to approach those all-powerful beings: Editors and Agents. Yet I find that if I’m to venture into the world of publishing I must master the dreaded Query Letter. Can you help me?

Timid Yet Determined Writer

Ol’ B&G:Tim, you’ve already done something far scarier than writing a ( Read more... )

Dear Dragon ( Read more... )

Dear Dragon:

I love to tell stories, but spelling and grammar aren’t my strong points. Is it possible to become a writer without mastering the mysteries of the semicolon? Should I hire an editor? How can I work around this problem?

Stuck and Whiteout

OLD B&G:Dear Petitioner-with-the-almost-familiar name ( Read more... )

Question of the Month: September '06

Dear Dragon:

I’ve read so much about bestselling Fantasy series these days, I’m thinking that writing a book would be a great way to start a “treasure horde” of my own! What do you think? Is the Dragon’s lair full of gold and jewels?

OLD B&G:Golden Girl ( Read more... )

Question of the Month: August '06

Dear Dragon,
Can you recommend any on-line resources for an Aspiring Writer?

DRAGON:My advice to you, harsh as it sounds, is to turn off your internet during writing times. Also, turn off the ringer on your phone, get someone to watch the pets/kids, put on earphones and lock the door. Do not do laundry. Do ( Read more... )