Kristin Wolden Nitz
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Today, fifty mile an hour winds whipped the snow past my windows. But a year ago this week, I was in Egypt to research a possible sequel to SAVING THE GRIFFIN. The wheels of publishing often turn more slowly than…
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Researching Contemporary Fiction
On my instructor’s brochure for the Institute of Children’s Literature, I have the following quote: “Don’t just write what you know. Write what you care about. Pursue the subjects that fascinate you, and your passion will shine through to the…
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Recasting Scenes
No, recasting a scene doesn’t mean trying it again with different personnel. It’s about change the shape of events. Stories aren’t “cast in stone” until they’re sent to the printers. My editor suggested that I recast some of the events…
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Falling into a Classic Writer’s Trap
A friend and fellow author gave me some good feedback on the first chapter of my mystery. Among other things, she noted that I was throwing a lot of character’s names at her, so she was having a tough time keeping…
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Referring to Parents
One of the things that all writers struggle with is figuring out exactly what to call the main character’s parents. I usually go with Mom and Dad unless I’m writing a fantasy and then I go with the local equivalent. But…
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Prospecting for Gold Nuggets
My article Prospecting for Gold Nuggets is now up on the Institute for Children’s Literature’s website. It discusses how important it is to come up with a strong premise for your writing projects.
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YA Mystery: Chapter 1 Revision is Done!
First chapters and last chapters are often among the hardest ones for any novelist. You have to first pull the reader smoothly into your world with the first and ease them out in a satisfying way in the last. It’s…
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Four dimensional characters
Every writer learns that it’s important to create three-dimensional characters. The people who come to life in books must occupy fictional space in unique and interesting ways. But because most stories are about a protagonist’s personal journey–even if that person…
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Inserting Characters
A few years ago I was on a walk with my son when he was in seventh or eight grade. He’d just finished reading a first draft of one of my manuscripts. “I really liked Sophia,” he said. “But you’re really…
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The Writers’ Revision Retreat
There is no great writing, only great rewriting. – Justice Brandeis That quote sums up the importance of revision rather nicely. It will be one of the themes for the 2010 SCBWI Missouri retreat on revision, which will be held April…
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Kristin Wolden Nitz 