Writing Tools - Reader Worksheet
One of the most important things you can do as a writer is receive input from a group of trusted readers. I like to have 10, but you can have as many as you feel comfortable (the more the better). Avid readers who aren't afraid to be honest are the best people for the job. However, people can be surprisingly reticent about sharing their opinions. So I give them a worksheet. This has the combined effect of giving them direction (instead of having vague comments like "It was ok"), and helping them be honest. So if you have had some trouble getting people to critique you, try this out. It works!Reader Worksheet

Jumpstarting Your Work
Dreaded writer’s block. Your muse has left you for another writer, the empty computer screen mocks you every day with it’s silent emptiness. Horrible, huh? Well, I have a confession to make. I know nothing about it, because it’s never happened to me. I’ve gotten too busy to write, or distracted with other things, or just been too out of it to get anything accomplished. But days on end where I can’t write anything? Nope. So here are a few suggestions to help on those days where your current WIP feels as though it’s actually gotten shorter since this morning.My most full proof weapon is: stop writing. I know this seems odd, but it truly

What's in a line?
Best First Sentences The American Book Review has a list of the 100 best opening sentences of all time. I think they did pretty well, although I think they missed the boat by not including some of the great suspense/mystery openers, but by nature a list like this has to be incomplete. Only 100? With all the books that have been written that’s just a drop in the bucket. I have found this list to be endlessly inspiring, however, and so I present it to you (along with a few of my other favorites). Hopefully it inspires a few great openers of your own. Please comment with your favorite first lines!American Book Review1