Tag Archives: writing craft

Redrafting Your Novel

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Caitlin McKenna

For National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 2020, I redrafted the fourth novel in The Expansion Series. This is the second time I’ve redrafted a novel from scratch. I thought it was time to write about a process few writers talk … Continue reading →

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How I won NaNoWriMo while working full time

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Caitlin McKenna

It’s that time of year again when thousands of writers worldwide try to crank out 50,000 words (sometimes an entire novel, sometimes a solid foundation for one) in 30 days. I won’t be doing NaNoWriMo this year because I’m not … Continue reading →

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What’s in a Name? Titling a Book

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

Confession: I dread coming up with titles. It’s hard in part because so much is riding on it: not only does every book or short story need a title, but the title is an essential part of the book’s first … Continue reading →

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So You Want to Write a Book Series Part 3: Creating Continuity

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

I’ve seen a lot of writers talk about the importance of writing book series to gain and keep readers, especially as an independent author. But what they don’t often discuss is how to write a great book series, one that … Continue reading →

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So You Want to Write a Book Series Part 2: Managing Plot and Character

Posted on April 19, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

I’ve seen a lot of writers talk about the importance of writing book series to gain and keep readers, especially as an independent author. But what they don’t often discuss is how to write a great book series, one that … Continue reading →

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So You Want to Write a Book Series Part 1: Choosing a Structure

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

I’ve seen a lot of writers talk about the importance of writing book series to gain and keep readers, especially as an independent author. But what they don’t often discuss is how to write a great book series, one that … Continue reading →

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Writing Convincing Aliens Part 3: Interstellar Relations

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

This series is intended to help writers brainstorm the elements that go into creating convincing aliens. It can also be applied to creating convincing nonhuman fantasy creatures, artificial intelligences, and so on. My science fiction novel, Absence of Blade, is … Continue reading →

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Writing Convincing Aliens Part 2: Culture and Society

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

This series is intended to help writers brainstorm the elements that go into creating convincing aliens*. It can also be applied to creating convincing nonhuman fantasy creatures, artificial intelligences, and so on. My science fiction novel, Absence of Blade, is … Continue reading →

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Writing Convincing Aliens Part 1: Biology and Ecology

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

This series is intended to help writers brainstorm the elements that go into creating convincing aliens*. It can also be applied to creating convincing nonhuman fantasy creatures, artificial intelligences, and so on. My science fiction novel, Absence of Blade, is … Continue reading →

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Why You Should Create Ugly Characters

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Caitlin McKenna

Bear with me. Anyone who’s watched any Hollywood release or network television series in the past, well, ever, knows that lookism is a powerful force. It shapes not only the actors chosen to play leading roles, but also the types … Continue reading →

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