This was a topic in one of my MFA classes this week, and I think it's worth talking about more. The commercial successes, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games - the main characters are white and straight. The question is, "Where's the black Harry Potter or the Asian Katniss?" I don't believe in writing a … Continue reading Diversity in Books
Fantasy Noun Stew
I love a good fantasy story. When beta reading fantasy stories, all the beginning writers want to do the same things: 1) talk about the weather 2) throw in all these strange names, items, plants, and places at once. Think about it this way: what if J.K. Rowling had started Harry's adventure at Hogwarts with … Continue reading Fantasy Noun Stew
Purple Prose
A common problem I see in beginning writer's manuscripts is an overload of exposition. It's been dubbed "exposition overload" for a reason. Don't tell the reader about the weather, pretty scenery, or how the bakery down the streets smells in the wintertime before we get to the main character (MC). Only note these things if … Continue reading Purple Prose
Beatrice B. Morgan 