The Role of Mystery in Fiction An editor's take on the value of mystery in all genres of fiction
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The Role of Mystery in Fiction An editor's take on the value of mystery in all genres of fiction

PG, The Writer’s Craft

The Role of Mystery in Fiction An editor's take on the value of mystery in all genres of fiction

Unlike nonfiction, fiction’s motor doesn’t run on information, but on its opposite: mystery.

I’m not talking about mystery as a genre, but as the essential quality in all fiction that cultivates curiosity, stimulates the imagination, invites participation, and generally keeps readers reading. Every step of the reader’s journey should be fraught with questions, not only about how the story turns out, but about character, motive, backstory, and—perhaps most importantly—what he or she would do in the hero’s or villain’s […]

By Peter Gelfan| 2018-05-21T19:44:48+00:00 |PG, The Writer’s Craft|Comments Off

Plot vs. Plot Event An editor's thoughts inspired by Robert Ludlum, Matt Damon, and Jason Bourne
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Plot vs. Plot Event An editor's thoughts inspired by Robert Ludlum, Matt Damon, and Jason Bourne

RSB, The Writer’s Craft

Plot vs. Plot Event An editor's thoughts inspired by Robert Ludlum, Matt Damon, and Jason Bourne

by Ross Browne

It wasn’t all that long ago that the news hit Hollywood that Matt Damon was considering bowing out of his leading role as Jason Bourne. The untitled film he considered passing on would have been the fifth in a series based on a trilogy that we have Robert Ludlum to thank for. (Or blame for, depending on your perspective.) Ludlum stopped writing the series after book number 3, and it wasn’t until his death […]

By Editorial Department| 2018-05-21T21:30:24+00:00 |RSB, The Writer’s Craft|Comments Off

Everyone Needs an Editor: A Final Lesson from the Harry Potter Series Principle Five: All good writing needs good editing
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Everyone Needs an Editor: A Final Lesson from the Harry Potter Series Principle Five: All good writing needs good editing

The Writer’s Craft, Trends

Everyone Needs an Editor: A Final Lesson from the Harry Potter Series Principle Five: All good writing needs good editing

By Jane Ryder with Beth Jusino.

“So why couldn’t Malfoy have brought that necklace into the school?”

“Oh, Harry, not that again…”

Many readers, myself included, echoed Hermione Grangers’ frustration at that point in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

For the past few weeks we have been looking at JK Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter books, and the lessons that aspiring authors can learn from them. We talked about when to hold back detail, how to drop hints, and the […]

By Editorial Department| 2018-05-03T19:10:38+00:00 |The Writer’s Craft, Trends|1 Comment

A World to Remember: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Four: Create a world the reader will remember
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A World to Remember: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Four: Create a world the reader will remember

The Writer’s Craft, Trends

A World to Remember: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Four: Create a world the reader will remember

This blog is part of the Storytelling lessons from Harry Potter series. For part one, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, click here.

Diagon Alley. The Quidditch World Cup.The Chamber of Secrets. The Cupboard Under the Stairs. Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

These were not places that existed in our imaginations before we met Harry Potter, but for many readers they are now as real as Times Square.

If we, as writers, look to […]

By Editorial Department| 2018-05-03T19:10:55+00:00 |The Writer’s Craft, Trends|Comments Off

Heroes Have Hormones: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Three: perfect heroes are uninteresting ones
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Heroes Have Hormones: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Three: perfect heroes are uninteresting ones

The Writer’s Craft, Trends

Heroes Have Hormones: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Three: perfect heroes are uninteresting ones

This blog is part of the Storytelling lessons from Harry Potter series. For part one, click here. For part two, click here.

It’s Harry Potter time here at The Editorial Department, and in honor of the release of the newest addition to the series, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, we’re looking at what we can learn from J.K. Rowling that will help us in our own writing endeavors. We’ve talked about two different aspects of plotting […]

By Editorial Department| 2018-05-03T19:11:12+00:00 |The Writer’s Craft, Trends|Comments Off

Chekov’s Gun: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Two: Chekov had a gun; Trelawney had a prophecy
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Chekov’s Gun: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Two: Chekov had a gun; Trelawney had a prophecy

The Writer’s Craft, Trends

Chekov’s Gun: More Lessons from the Harry Potter Series Principle Two: Chekov had a gun; Trelawney had a prophecy

This blog is part of a series. For part one, click here.

This week we’re talking about Harry Potter. No, not the much-anticipated book that’s releasing next week (although I, for one, already preordered it.) We’re talking about the books that started it all, and the lessons that authors can apply in their own Works In Progress.

Principle Two: Chekov had a gun; Trelawney had a prophecy.

Being patient and letting a story unfold does not mean that a writer should hold back major […]

By Editorial Department| 2018-05-03T19:11:24+00:00 |The Writer’s Craft, Trends|Comments Off

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Author of the Buck Reilly series

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Iowa City, IA

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Sebring, FL

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Author of Friend Me

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While Peter Gelfan guided me down the path to write more like a professional and introduced me to the world of solid plots, Renni Browne and Shannon Roberts’ annotated editing turned me into an honest recorder of my characters’ voices and behaviors. That’s way better than just being a clever writer. I think that any writer who doesn’t use an intelligent editor(s) won’t ever know how good their work might be.”

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Torreon, NM

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New York, NY

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Author of Where the Monster Weights

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Author of Winter Reeds and other titles

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Tucson, AZ

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Scottsdale, AZ

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I’m so glad I’m not alone in all this.”

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Shizuoka, Japan

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Albuquerque, NM

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College Station, TX

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San Francisco, CA

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Author of Poison Pen and other titles

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Mike Merrell
Author of the Abby Westminster Series

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Author of Deadly Straits and other titles

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Atlanta, GA

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Portland, OR

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Tucson, AZ

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Author of The Discovery of Socket Greeny

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Author of Black & Orange

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Hampton, Australia

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Author of Blood Hunt and other titles

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Superior, CO

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Newmarket, ONT

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Author of An Innocent Client and other titles

an innocent client by scott pratt

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Author of Concierge Medicine

“TED was very helpful and wonderful to work with and I learned a great deal from Shannon Roberts and Doug Wagner.”

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Green Bay, WI

“Karinya Funsett gave me valuable advice on everything from character development to plot issues that were confusing, and all things in between. It was by far the most valuable service I’ve done for my novel. ”

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Kingsport, TN

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Author of The Darkness of Shadows

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Sherman Oaks, CA

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Best-selling Author of Still Missing and other titles

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Mesa, AZ

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Washington, DC

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Author of Weepers

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Oak View, CA

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Seattle, WA

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New York, NY

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Delray Beach, FL

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Omaha, Nebraska

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Alpharetta, GA

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Huntersville, NC

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Holden, MA

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Butte des Mortes, WI

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Author of The Prometheus Man

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Author of Noah Zarc series and other titles

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Author of Beneath the Surface and other titles

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Author of Daemon Seer & other titles

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New Brunswick, Canada

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Midway, GA

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Author of In The Season of Blood & Gold and other titles

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Copperas Cove, TX

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Author of Footloose in America

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Melanie Reese Senn
San Luis Obispo, CA

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Author of Waterfall Dance

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Jay Price
Imperial Beach, CA

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Rich Silvers
Author of Have You Seen Her?

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Jacqueline Gum
Ft Lauderdale, FL

“A very helpful set of services and exceptionally talented staff. My critique and evaluation were delivered to me in a timely manner. The quality of commentary was very helpful and critiques were articulate, allowing me to improve my manuscript.”

Lee Libro
Lakewood Ranch, FL

“Both Jen Howard & Doug Wagner were very insightful, and their notes were clear and concise. ”

Norman Ollestad
Author of Crazy for the Storm (a New York Times bestseller) and other titles

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Steve Little
Westfield, NJ

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Mark Davis
Columbus, OH

“I appreciate Peter Gelfan’s expertise as an editor. He keeps me focused and his editorial skills exceeded my expectations. So glad I explored using an editor on this journey.”

Valerie L. Rice
Lansing, MI

“I’ve learned more about fiction writing working with Renni Browne, Ross Browne, and Shannon Roberts than I did completing my graduate writing program. Their insights regarding my manuscript were invaluable.”

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Boulder, CO

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Portland, OR

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Temple Terrace, FL

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National Bestselling Author of Veil of Roses and other titles

veil of roses by laura fitzgerald

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Willow Spring, NC

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Sharon Spencer Shlesinger
Thousand Oaks, CA

“Your level of service exceeded my expectations. Ross Browne patiently answered my questions, concerns and made this experience pleasant and fulfilling. My editor’s evaluation was honest, hopeful and her direction brought my writing to a whole new level. I appreciate everything TED has done for me and I’m grateful for all your help!”

Marni Mann
Author of Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales: A Story of Addiction

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Tucson, AZ

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Lee Alamogordo, NM

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Author of River Talk

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Shuna Meade
Dartmouth, Devon, UK

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Author or Water War and other titles

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Author of The Stolen and other titles

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