Category Archives: Characterization

AMC’s The Killing: Fooled Me Once

Posted on May 7, 2012 by chrisdevlin

I was like a lot of people last year when The Killing debuted.  I watched the first episode and went online to talk about it. “Good show. Kind of slow but it’s slow with atmosphere, not boredom.” My main nitpick: … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Commentary, Plot, Reviews, TV, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

9 Tips for Entering the Colorado Gold Writing Contest

Posted on April 25, 2012 by chrisdevlin

The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers writing contest is in full swing and you can enter up till June 1, 2012. Details and entry form are here. As contest co-chair this year, I’m excited to be able to participate in this … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Contests, Fiction, Plot, Scenecraft, Viewpoint, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of 3/18/12

Posted on March 23, 2012 by chrisdevlin

In honor of the keenly-anticipated movie debut this week, let’s make this an all-Hunger Games all-the-time edition of the round-up. Sci-fi/fantasy blogger John Scalzi on why the movie industry is being owned by YA action. Thelma Adams on what your … Continue reading →

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The Hunger Games: What Suzanne Collins Did Right

Posted on March 19, 2012 by chrisdevlin

It’s been a long time since I could read a book like a reader and not like a writer. What tense is this in? Whose head are we in? How is the writer handling the backstory? And mostly, DO something. … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Description, Fiction, Pop Culture, Reviews, Scenecraft, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

What Novelists Can Learn From the Oscars

Posted on December 18, 2011 by chrisdevlin

I’ve recently torn apart my urban fantasy novel and tried to put it back together better, stronger, faster. The main character, our hero, had way too much support going into his final confrontation with the Big Bad. I’ve always loved … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Fiction, Plot, Reviews, Revision, Scenecraft, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up; Week of 11/20/11

Posted on November 27, 2011 by chrisdevlin

My best of the web for writers this week. Hope it’s helpful. Social Media From the Red Pen of Doom guy, who’s name is actually Guy (Bergstrom), on Why Blog Hits DON’T REALLY MATTER. From writer Christina Katz: Platform and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Characterization, Commentary, Description, Dialogue, E-Publishing, Fiction, Grammar, Marketing, New Media, Plot, Query Letters, Revision, Scenecraft, Self-Promotion, Viewpoint, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Why Is Grimm so Grim?

Posted on November 19, 2011 by chrisdevlin

I started off excited to watch this paranormal show. It sounded grittier and less girly than the similar-themed Once Upon a Time. Writer/Producer David Greenwalt of Buffy, Angel, and Miracles fame is involved. Good to go. But after four episodes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Commentary, Plot, Reviews, TV, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Bliss by Lauren Myracle

Posted on October 19, 2011 by chrisdevlin

I had been thinking about writing a book review about the YA horror book Bliss by Lauren Myracle when her name came up in a most unfortunate way.  She was told her novel Shine would be nominated for a National … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: The Ides of March

Posted on October 18, 2011 by chrisdevlin

A political drama directed by George Clooney and starring the red-hot Ryan Gosling.  The set-up is familiar: A smart, earnest politician (Clooney) who says all the right things and loves his beautiful wife.  An idealistic staffer devoted to the ideals … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Movies, Reviews, Scenecraft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Origin Story Part 9: My Irish Novel

Posted on October 15, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Previously on My Origin Story: I power-wrote my third novel twice in under three months and vowed I wouldn’t try that again for a long time. Not so fast. A few months later, November of my senior year in high … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, My Origin Story, Pop Culture, Revision, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments