Category: Advice Column

Ms. Mixon, I’ve been reading your Practitioner’s Manuals. They are amazing and have opened my eyes to thinking about writing in ways I haven’t over the past twenty years. So, thank you! I do have a question. I am writing a series. Your plot explanation is so exact and extremely… Read more“Designing a series around classic plot structure”

In my completed novel (currently on query to an agent), I have a scene where two people have flat tires, one the protagonist and one a girl he meets who becomes his girlfriend. I don’t say in the scene that both flats were purposeful. The girl did her own flat… Read more“Listening & <em>not</em> listening to beta readers”

So, a scene with hardly any exposition would consist of dialog and description of people and places? That’s like real life: we look at and listen to and feel the “scene,” where we are, and somebody talks to us and we talk back. There is no running commentary that informs… Read more“Growing plot out of character, situation out of need”

Hi Victoria. I have a question for you. Hope you don’t mind. A friend who raises service dogs has written a children’s book. Her story is about a service dog & puppy raiser, intended to teach children about disabilities. She’s wondering where to go next. I know it’s hard for… Read more“Seeking publication for children’s educational lit”

How many multiple genres are allowed in a story? Are genres to be paired specifically, i.e. paranormal romance, paranormal suspense, dark fantasy? Or are there other multiples that are acceptable? And how many genres are too many?—Barbara Martin First, Barbara, thank you for being so very patient. I know you… Read more“Talking multiple genres”

Hi Victoria. I am a young writer, and a total newbie, but not a pantser. I spend months thinking my plot over and getting to know my characters’ inner angels and demons before I ever get to the keyboard. In one of your posts from 2009 you mention that characters… Read more“Making choices between fight or flight”

Hi Ms. Mixon, I’m 15 years old and I’ve loved to write ever since I can remember, but for the last two months or so, I’ve been stuck staring at a blank page. Whatever I try to begin seems stale and tacky, and my narrative voice has become awkward and… Read more“Eliminating the internal critic: for young writers”

I would like to write in Historical, Fantasy, and general Fiction genre. I am currently researching about the Tudor period for a novel I would someday like to write. Also I am considering graduate schools. Do you have any advice on good programs for my interested genres?—Melanie Lambrecht Ask your… Read more“Getting the most out of graduate school for writers”

I have reached a sort of writers block where I want to write, but when I get to the paper nothing comes out. I feel like I’ve lost the inspiration I used to have. Any tips on what to do?—Melanie Lambrecht Yes. Get up. Go outside. You have nothing to… Read more“Triumphing over writer’s block”

Hi Victoria, I’ve been stumbling across your blog many times and many of your articles are are marked as favorite under my Stumbleupon account. I have nursed my passion for writing since high school and I now will be entering my Junior year of college. I would like to write… Read more“Handling research”