Category Archives: Uncategorized

On The One Hand … ‘”There is one datum I can adduce, I believe,’ said Lebret, scratching his beard with his left hand and manoeuvring a cigarette out of its case with his left …” (Adam Roberts, Twenty Trillion Leagues … Continue reading →

If you’re thinking of writing your novel in omniscient POV (point of view), forget it. Writers who use omniscient POV don’t challenge themselves to write in a more intimate style, which takes more work and thought. In first person or … Continue reading →

Think of your novel as a gold mine, with a mother lode resting deep in the heart of a mountain. In order to get to that treasure, you have to build a sturdy framework as you dig into all that … Continue reading →

“One book that I frequently recommend for writers is Orson Scott Card’s Character and Viewpoint. I do it for a number of reasons. First, Scott looks at such issues as whether to write a novel in first person, second, or … Continue reading →

By Shelly Lowenkopf (1) Whose story is it? A dramatic work has only one central character. There may be secondary characters of equal importance to the overall narrative, but in the vast majority of literary accomplishments from Dracula to Candide, … Continue reading →

Researchers created a computer program to study stylistic similarities between books, to see if stylistic similarities can be used as predictors of success. Read what David Farland said about their findings.

Secrets and Contradictions By DAVID CORBETT  on nytimes.com I know a compelling character when I encounter her on the page. Her simplicity betrays an enigmatic complexity, and her known qualities suggest unknown ones. She possesses the one thing I want … Continue reading →

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to join a Lowenkopf-Lopopolo boot camp at Los Angeles Valley College in Van Nuys this Saturday, Feb 8th, 10 to 5:30 pm, (includes lunch) CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The author of “Andrew’s Brain” and “Ragtime” sometimes puts down a book because he can see where the story’s going. “As you practice your craft, you lose your innocence as a reader.” Read More