Kerlak Enterprises - Publishing Resources

Ask A Writer - Hints, Tips, and More

Q. Just what is pacing?
A. Pacing is just how fast or slow your story is progressing. Fundamentally, pacing boils down to how many words it takes you describe your scene and advance your story. If you are working on a 9,000 word short story, you don't have a lot of room for lengthy explanations. If you are working your novel, you have more room to play.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. What is the deal with rewrites? Doesn't anyone get it right the first time?
A. To be brutally honest, I don't think any story can be done in a single session. It is too much pressure to get everything right in one pass. Think of writing like painting the wall. You have to prep the surface, then prime it. Once it is dry and ready, then you can paint. Even then, the job usually takes more than one coat. Writing is much the same. First, you have to do your research and layout your plot points. Write your story without worring about editing as you go. Just let your story flow. Once the writing is done, you can edit and polish your work to a glorious finish.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How do you get over writer's block?
A. To be honest, I've never had writer's block. Yes, I have gotten stuck while working on a story, but that is usually because of detail tracking. I have way too many ideas for stories floating around to ever not be able to write. I think if you find yourself stuck on one project, just work on another until you get you get free of the blockage. One hint, don't be so critical of your work that you freeze up. Write and write freely, making it perfect is what editing is all about.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How do you make a character memorable?
A. A main character gets remembered for his or her actions that drive the story forward. Everyone else has quirks in how they contribute to the story. For example, your hero buys a paper. If the vendor is behind the counter and just takes the money, no one cares. If the vendor is old with a livid scar and an odd accent you have a character that readers will remember and want to know more about.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. What is meant by voice?
A. Voice is the result of the unique word choices that an author makes. These choices form a recognizable pattern throughout the work. The real trick is to find a voice that drives the story. Far too many novice writers try to "sound" proper. They would be much better off to find their own voice and run with it.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. Where do you get an original idea?
A. Any idea can be original. The trick is to take the base concept and let your own voice and imagination take your story in a new or unique direction. It can be a rewarding exercise to take a commonly known story and re-imagine it your way. You may just surprise yourself with the results.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How far can you push "the suspension of disbelief"?
A. That depends a lot on what genre you are talking about. A genre like fantasy is much more forgiving than court room drama. Regardless of genre, one of the easiest ways to lose your reader is to forget that your characters and settings must continue to draw the reader in the world you have created from the first page all the way to the last. For instance: if a main character loses his or her unique traits as your story unfolds, chances are that the reader is losing interest at the same rate.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. I am having trouble staying with the original outline. Any hints?
A. Personally, I think it is impossible to completely stay with the outline. Characters evolve as you write and make slightly different choices than you may have imagined originally. So long as you get your story told without too many side stories developing, you should do fine.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How important is background information?
A. Real people don't grow up in a vacuum, so your characters shouldn't either. However, try to stick to what is actually meaningful to your story. Too much background will slow or even kill the pacing of your work.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How do you make dialog sound real?
A. The easiest way I have found is to go ahead and write the scene then bribe a couple of willing volunteers to read it out loud. It is amazing how real voices can give you the insight into your characters you are looking for.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. How do you start a character?
A. I like to start with the character's function in the story. What is their job? Why are they a part of the story? Then follow up with - what kind of person has this job? Before you know it, you have the start of a workable character profile.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. What makes a great character?
A. The best characters always have traits that are familiar in some way. No villian is pure evil and no hero is all good. Providing a slightly flawed personality for your characters may allow the reader to more easily identify with them.
Allan Gilbreath

Q. What do you do about writer's block?
A. Don't get frustrated and really get locked up. Personally, I find talking about the project with someone very refreshing and often leads to a fresh way of looking at your project.
Allan Gilbreath

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