PLOTS AND THEMES

Every novel has a plot, which is the story line (what happens). But most good novels also have a theme, which is the underlying message the writer wants the readers to understand. Most authors include themes naturally in their writing, but it’s important to...

Write Like You Know

I once started to read a book by a mystery author that I wanted to like, but she started off with a scuba scene in which a diver was attacked by a predatory manta ray that tried to rip the tank from her back. I put the book down, and I haven’t read anything by...